Silviculture of Temperate Forests
This course instance is exclusively for incoming exchange students
Course description
This course is about silviculture for the sustainable management of temperate forests in Europe. We will study and discuss a wide range of paradigms for silviculture, and we will visit forests where these are implemented. We will look at even-aged plantation forestry, continuous cover forestry, close-to-nature forestry, multifunctional forestry, forestry for high-quality timber production, urban forestry, restoration forestry and historical management approaches.
The course emphasizes ecologically-based and nature-oriented silviculture and includes a large range of forest types. We will examine 10 conifer species and 20 hardwood species in detail and we will visit forests where these are managed in pure as well as mixed stands.
The presentation and discussion of topics gradually progress from the basic to the advanced level. There will be classroom lectures, classroom exercises, field trips, outdoor lectures, field exercises, group work, student presentations and interactive discussions.
The course includes two one-week study tours in Denmark, Germany or other European countries and some one-day tours in Sweden. Students pay the costs of accommodation (youth hostels) and meals during the study tours and cover part of the travel costs.
Entry Requirements
120 credits
60 credits within one of the following subjects/main fields of study
- forestry science
- forest science
- forest management
- biology
- environmental sciences
- natural resource management
English 6.
Course facts
SV0059, Silviculture of Temperate Forests, 15.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: Ordföranden för programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2023-12-22
Valid from : Autumn semester 2024 (2024-09-02)
Level
Second cycle (A1N)
Main field of study
Forestry Science
Sub-area forestry science
Natural processes 15 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
120 credits
60 credits within one of the following subjects/main fields of study
- forestry science
- forest science
- forest management
- biology
- environmental sciences
- natural resource management
English 6.
Objectives
The objective of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of silvicultural principles and practices for the sustainable management of temperate forests in Europe.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
- evaluate alternative silvicultural strategies and their application
- apply silvicultural principles to problem solving in forestry practice and at the forest policy level
- identify and communicate solutions to conflicts regarding the application of alternative silvicultural practices
- implement silvicultural practices in different forest settings depending on management objective
- quantify the effects of silvicultural practices to understand their limitations with regard to human utilisation and the sustainable use of temperate forests
- critically and systematically integrate knowledge, as well as present and discuss results and conclusions.
Content
The students will be presented with contrasting paradigms and silvicultural practices. These include even-aged plantation forestry, continuous cover forestry, close-to-nature forestry, multifunctional forestry, forestry for high-quality timber production, urban forestry, restoration forestry and historical management approaches.
The course emphasizes objective-oriented silviculture based on ecological principles and scientific knowledge derived from long-term field experiments and other empirical investigations. Management alternatives for selected tree species will be used to illustrate and discuss major principles and practices of silviculture.
The curriculum includes the following topics:
- Brief overview of temperate forest ecosystems, including site types, forest types and major tree species.
- Silviculture as a means of achieving management objectives and as a basis for sustainable forest management.
- The silvicultural practices of regeneration, tending and harvesting.
- Forest production principles and forest productivity.
- Forest regeneration and afforestation.
- Managing forest productivity, stand density and wood quality.
- Silvicultural practices of regeneration, tending and harvesting for major temperate forest types and tree species in Europe. These include relevant conifer species of Abies, Chamaecyparis, Larix, Picea, Pinus, Pseudotsuga, Taxus, Thuja and Tsuga, and relevant hardwood species of Acer, Alnus, Betula, Carpinus, Castanea, Fagus, Fraxinus, Juglans, Malus, Populus, Pyrus, Prunus, Quercus, Robinia, Sorbus, Tilia and Ulmus.
- Silvicultural systems in a contemporary context.
- Site mapping for site-specific silviculture.
- Silviculture for special sites, including mountain slopes, wetlands, heathlands, inland sands, coastal dune fields and land reclamation sites.
- The protective functions of forests (erosion, water, deadwood, biodiversity, cultural remains, amenity values).
- Managing mammal damage to forest trees.
- Managing forest health (biotic and abiotic factors, climate change).
- Silvicultural practices for biodiversity conservation.
- Forest aesthetics and recreation.
- Layout and design of managed forests.
To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used: Lectures, literature studies, exercises, written exercises, (written) assignments, laboratory sessions, project work, seminars, study visits, study trips, field exercises, excursions, proficiency training, presentations
Group work during the course includes practical field exercises and the preparation and presentation of silvicultural profiles for selected tree species. The field exercises include data collection in the forest, subsequent analyses, reporting and presentation. The species profiles should be compiled and presented as a power-point presentation.
The literature includes selected scientific papers, extracts from international textbooks, lecture notes and notes for field trips.
The course focuses on the following generic competencies:
Information competence, critical thinking and reflection, problem solving, scientific methods, use of technology, oral and written communication, teamwork.
The following course components are compulsory: The study trips, excursions, individual and group assignments as well as exercises and seminars.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
Passed examinations. Approved written exercises. Approved participation in compulsory components.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre
Supplementary information
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 0201 |
The Course Replaces
SG0232
Other Information
The course includes two one-week study tours in Denmark, Germany or other European countries and some one-day tours in Sweden. These usually take place in September and include time outside of normal work hours. Students will be asked to pay the costs of accommodation (youth hostels) and meals during the study tours and to cover parts of the travel costs.