Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics
Course description
Do you want to work with forestry, agroforestry, and forest-related issues in the tropics? This is the course for you! This course will take you through the arc of understanding global issues and theoretical knowledge to the on-the-ground complexities, challenges, and strategies of tropical forest and landscape management activities. You will learn tropical forest and woodland ecology, management systems, agroforestry, forest and landscape restoration, tree and forest products and services, global issues and drivers of land-use and land-use change, the complexities of local conditions, and how to integrate multiple forest- and land-use objectives and manage trade-offs.
The course is given as a campus independent, distance course, which means that you can attend the course remotely from any location.
Entry Requirements
15 credits at advanced level in one of the following subjects/fields of study:
- Forestry science
- Forest science
- Forest management
- Agricultural science
- rural development
- natural resource management
- soil science
- environmental sciences
- natural geography
The 15 credits in in biology with specialization in ecology
English 6
Course facts
SV0085, Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics, 15.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: Ordförande för programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2025-12-18
Valid from : Autumn semester 2026 (2026-08-31)
Level
Second cycle (A1F)
Main field of study
Forestry Science, Biology
Biology Area
Ecology
Sub-area forestry science
Objectives, planning and policy 6,5 credits, Natural Processes, 5 credits, Work processes, 3,5 credits
Grading Scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
15 credits at advanced level in one of the following subjects/fields of study:
- Forestry science
- Forest science
- Forest management
- Agricultural science
- rural development
- natural resource management
- soil science
- environmental sciences
- natural geography
The 15 credits in in biology with specialization in ecology
English 6
Objectives
The course prepares students for tasks and challenges when working with sustainable management in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe and analyze how biophysical (e.g., ecology, soils, climate), social, policy, and economic conditions interact and drive the choice of current and future forest and land-use management decisions
- Evaluate the potential benefits and weaknesses of prevalent management systems (natural forest, plantation forestry, agroforestry, and restoration) within the local context (eg economy, livelihoods, ecosystem services, etc.)
- Synthesize the importance of tropical forests in a global context and the global policy agenda
- Assess and interpret how local, context-specific demands, dynamics, values, and complexities affect forest management, land use, and methods applied
- Review, analyze, evaluate, and communicate current forestry issues and research in tropical and subtropical areas.
- In a given context, identify knowledge gaps and propose new solutions.
Content
The course deals with the conditions in nature and society for the development and use of forests in subtropical and tropical regions and provides an overall understanding of how variations in system ecology, community structure and forestry practices differ from northern systems. The course also deals with important silvicultural methods and way of working and use of land with trees and forests, as well as current issues that will be the main drivers for the development of land use and forestry practices in subtropical and tropical regions in the future.
Implementation
The course utilizes different teaching methods to promote student learning and discussion through lectures, assignments, literature studies and discussions. The students get to apply their knowledge to real-life case studies. The course also provides the opportunity for individual in depth studies within a specific area based on the student's own interests, and to take part in a study trip to one of our tropical research areas.
The course focuses on the following generic competencies:
- Critical thinking
- Digital competence
- Oral and written communication
- Team work
- Ability to work independently
- Creativity
- Plan and manage time
The following sections are mandatory
Participation during the course call (the first day), seminars, and oral exercises and presentations.
Cooperation with the surrounding society takes place through course assignments and lectures with international guests from various organizations.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
- Approved written assignments - Completed mandatory elements
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Forest ecology and Management
Supplementary information
Included in program
- Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management (MSc)
- Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management - mastersprogramme
The Course Replaces
SV0056, SG0258