Print Syllabus

Syllabus

BI1419 Trees and Forest ecology, 15.0 Credits

Träd och skogsekologi

Subjects

Forestry Science Biology Biology Forestry Science

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Floristics	3.0	0102
Practicalse etc in Evolution and Ecology	1.0	0103
Plant Physiology practicals and exercises	1.0	0104
Forest management and Forest operations	1.5	0105
Project work	1.0	0106
Written exam	7.5	0107

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G1F)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

7.5 forestry science at undergraduate level or 5 credits biology and 5 credits geology at undergraduate level

Objectives

The overall goal of this course is to create an understanding of the biological conditions for forests production of ecosystem services. The practical elements during the course aim to train students in species knowledge and collection of basic forest measurement data from trees and stands.

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• use basic ecological and evolutionary terms and describe basic concepts, theories, and models in ecology

• apply ecological and evolutionary principles to suggest solutions to current issues and problems related to the forest’s production of raw materials and other ecosystem services

-account for the development, morphology, and life processes of trees, including the formation, structure, and function of wood

-explain and reason about the tree’s growth and production based on internal, physiological factors and external factors such as site characteristics management operations or abiotic or biotic disturbances.

-identify and account for a number of common species in Swedish forest ecosystems.

-collect and analyse basic forest measurement data from trees and stands

-account for the common techniques for collection of such data and for common databases for forest geographical data.

Content

The overall purpose is to create an understanding of the biological framework for production of forest raw materials and other ecosystem services in forests.

The course provides an overview of ecological and evolutionary processes in the forest ecosystem. This includes an overview of the key concepts and theoretical basis for the evolution theory such as genetic variation, natural selection, fitness, speciation, and species concepts. Furthermore, the basics of ecology are covered with emphasis on interactions between organisms such as intra- and inter species competition and the processes that affect the organisms’ distribution and behavior. The evolutionary aspects of ecological interactions and processes will also be discussed. Basic methods for species determination, as well as methods and tools for determining the site productivity will be introduced.

The course covers the basic principles that govern the life and development of the plant, with emphasis on the morphological, structural, and physiological adaptations that allow trees to establish and grow in different environments; as well as the trees physiological responses to site’s characteristics and disturbances such as drought, wind, or pests. The consequences of these adaptations on the production of raw materials and other ecosystem services will be discussed.

The course is based on lectures, individual and group exercises, excursions, study visits, and self-study of course literature. The practical elements during the course aim to train students in species knowledge and forest data collection. The students will also be trained in information retrieval and how to evaluate and critically interpret relevant information about a specific topic or problem.

Excursions, study visits and exercises are mandatory elements in the course.

The Forestry Science content is divieded into sub-areas as follows:

• 12,5 credits Natural processes

• 2,5 credits Work procesesse

Grading form

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.

Formats and requirements for examination

Approved oral or written examination and approved laboratory and exercise reports. Participation in compulsory elements.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

The course includes a compulsory 4-day study visit to Skinnskatteberg

Responsible department

Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology

Cooperating departments: