Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics
The course is given as a campus independent, distance course, which means that you can attend the course remotely from any location.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
SG0258-20133 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for SG0258
Academic year 2024/2025
Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics (SG0258-20088)
2024-11-01 - 2025-01-19
Academic year 2023/2024
Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics (SG0258-20136)
2023-10-31 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2021/2022
Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics (SG0258-20022)
2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16
Academic year 2020/2021
Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics (SG0258-20100)
2020-11-02 - 2021-01-17
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
SG0258 Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics, 15.0 Credits
Hållbar skogsskötsel och markanvändning i tropikernaSubjects
Forest Science Biology Forest science BiologyEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to tropical forests, ecology, clim | 2.5 | 0102 |
| Agroforestry and multifunctional landscapes | 2.5 | 0103 |
| Forest and Landscape Restorati | 2.5 | 0104 |
| Natural Forest Management | 2.5 | 0105 |
| Factfulness | 2.5 | 0106 |
| Interview project | 2.5 | 0107 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1F)
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.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Prior knowledge equivalent to 120 credits at undergraduate level including- 60 credits forest science or
- 60 credits forest management or
- 60 credits biology or
- 60 credits soil science or
- 60 credits environmental sciences or
- 60 credits natural resource management
and
- 15 credits at advanced level
and
- English 6
Objectives
The course prepare students for tasks and challenges when working with sustainable management in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
After completing the course the student should be able to:
Describe and analyze how biophysical (e.g., ecology, soils, climate), social, policy, and economic forces interact and drive current and potential forest and land-use management decisions and options.
Evaluate the potential benefits and weaknesses of prevalent management systems (natural forest, plantations, agroforestry, and restoration) within the local context (on economy, livelihoods, ecosystem services, etc.).
Synthesize the importance of tropical forests in a global context (e.g., carbon cycling, climate change mitigation, provision of wood and other bio-based products) and global agendas (e.g., forest landscape restoration, Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement, REDD+).
Assess and interpret how local, context-specific demands, dynamics, values, and complexities affect forest and land use management.
Review, analyze, evaluate, and communicate current issues and research findings on forestry in tropical and subtropical areas.
In a given context, identify gaps in knowledge or practice and propose new solutions.
Content
The course addresses the conditions in nature and society for forest development and utilization in subtropical and tropical regions. The course provides a comprehensive understanding of how variations in system ecology, community development and forestry in the south differ from the northern systems. The course also deals with important management practices and land use forms with trees and forests, as well as current issues that will in future dominate the development of land use and forestry practices in subtropical and tropical regions.
The course contains lectures, exercises, literature studies, and discussions. Students will apply their knowledge to reality-based case studies. The course also provides an opportunity for individual specialization of a specific subject area based on the student’s own interest. Seminars and exercises are mandatory.
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
Active participation in compulsory parts of the course. Approved written assignments, oral seminars and exercises.
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
There is an optional field trip to a tropical country in connection with one of the international projects that are led by researchers at the faculty. Students who join the field trip need to cover the flight tickets and accommodation costs, while the course will cover expenses related to transport within the country, resource persons, and travel insurance. If you are planning to join the field trip, make sure you have a valid passport well in time. Check as well if you will need any additional vaccinations. Write to the course coordinator to know to what country the field trip will be.The course is offered to students from all SLU locations with some compulsory lectures and seminars.
For internet-based parts of the course, access to a computer with internet-connection of 2.0 Mbit/s or higher in both directions, USB-headset with microphone and web-camera are needed. Fixed internet access is recommended. It is also possible to connect at a library or so called "lärcentrum" (learning center).
SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. A large part of our courses cover knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the environment. To further strengthen this, we have specific environmental goals for the education. Students are welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead to improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage www.slu.se.
Responsible department
Department of Forest ecology and Management
Further information
Litterature list
Introduction to tropical ecosystems, forests, soils and climate
Bonan, G.B. 2008. Forests and Climate Change: Forcings, Feedbacks, and the Climate Benefits of Forests. Science.
Brandon, K. 2014. Ecosystem Services from Tropical Forests: Review of Current Science. CGD Climate and Forest Paper Series #7.
Busch, J. and Ferretti-Gallon, K. 2014. *Stopping Deforestation: What Works and What Doesn't. *CGD Climate and Forest Paper Series #3.
Driessen, P., Deckers, J., Spaargaren, O., Nachtergaele, F. 2001. Lecture notes on the major soils of the world.
Elliott, S., Blakesley, D., Hardwick, K. 2013. Understanding Tropical Forests, Chap 2, in Restoring tropical forests: a practical guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Ellison, D. et al. 2017. Trees, forests and water: Cool insights for a hot world. Global Environmental Change.
FAO. 2018. The state of the world’s forests 2018 - Forests pathways to sustainable development. Rome.
Goodman, R. and Herold, M. 2014. Why Maintaining Tropical Forests Is Essential and Urgent for a Stable Climate. CGD Working Paper 385.
Popkin, G. 2019. How much can forests fight climate change? Nature.
Agroforestry and multifunctional landscapes
Agroforestry Network. 2018. Scaling up Agroforestry: Potential, challenges and barriers. A review of environmental, social and economic aspects at the farmer, community and landscape levels. Stockholm.
FAO. 2017. Agroforestry for landscape restoration: Exploring the potential of agroforestry to enhance the sustainability and resilience of degraded landscapes. Rome.
Global Evergreening Alliance. 2019. How to suck carbon out of the air and convert it into profits and jobs for poor farmers across the globe.
Goffner, D., Sinaré, H. and Gordon, L. 2019. The Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative as an opportunity to enhance resilience in Sahelian landscapes and livelihoods. Regional Environmental Change.
Kuyah, S. et al. 2016. Trees in agricultural landscapes enhance provision of ecosystem services in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management.
Sacande, M. et al. 2021. Socio-economic impacts derived from large scale restoration in three Great Green Wall countries. Journal of Rural Studies.
Forest and Landscape Restoration
Besseau, P., Graham, S. and Christophersen, T. (eds.). 2018. Restoring forests and landscapes: the key to a sustainable future. Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration, Vienna, Austria.
Bracalion P.H.S., et al. 2019. Global restoration opportunities in tropical rainforest landscapes. Science.
Chazdon, R.L., Brancalion, P.H.S., Laestadius, L. et al. 2016. When is a forest a forest? Forest concepts and definitions in the era of forest and landscape restoration. Ambio 45, 538–550.
Di Sacco, A. et al. 2021. Ten golden rules for reforestation to optimize carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery and livelihood benefits. Global Change Biology 27:7.
Elliott, S., Blakesley, D., Hardwick, K. 2013. Restoring tropical forests: a practical guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
FAO. 2019. Restoring forest landscapes through assisted natural regeneration (ANR) – A practical manual. Bangkok. 52 pp.
Guariguata MR, et al. 2021. Forest and Landscape Restoration. FTA Highlights of a Decade 2011–2021 series. Highlight No.4. Bogor, Indonesia: The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA).
ITTO. 2020. Guidelines for forest landscape restoration in the tropics. ITTO Policy Development Series No. 24. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Yokohama, Japan.
Kettle, C.J. et al. 2020. Priorities, challenges and opportunities for supplying tree genetic resources p. 51-61 in FAO. 2020. Restoring the Earth – The next decade. Unasylva No. 252 - Vol. 71 2020/1. Rome.
Laestadius, L. et al. 2015. Before Bonn and beyond: the history and future of forest landscape restoration. Unasylva No. 245. Vol. 66 2015/3
llstedt et al. 2016. Intermediate tree cover can maximize groundwater recharge in the seasonally dry tropics. Scientific Reports.
Philipson, C.D. et al. 2020. *Active restoration accelerates the carbon recovery of human-modified tropical forests. *Science.
Sabogal, C., Besacier, C., and McGuire, D. 2015. Forest and landscape restoration: concepts, approaches and challenges for implementation. Unasylva No. 245. Vol. 66 2015/3
Sheil & Bargués-Tobella. *More trees for more water in drylands: myths and opportunities. *In: Pasiecznik, N. & Reij C. (Eds). 2020. Restoring African Drylands 60: 209-216. EFTRN News.
Natural Forest Management
Ashton, M.S. and Hall, J.S. 2011. The Ecology, Silviculture, and Use of Tropical Wet Forests with Special Emphasis on Timber Rich Types. Chap 12 in Günter, S. (Ed.), 2011. Silviculture in the tropics, Tropical forestry. Springer, Heidelberg ; New York.
Karsenty, A. and Gourlet-Fleury, S. 2006. Assessing Sustainability of Logging Practices in the Congo Basin’s Managed Forests: the Issue of Commercial Species Recovery. Ecology and Society 11(1):26.
Schwartz, G. et al. 2016. Profitability of silvicultural treatments in logging gaps in the Brazilian Amazon. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 28(1): 68–78.
Fredericksen T.S. 2011. Silviculture in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (Review) Chap 16 in Günter, S. (Ed.), Silviculture in the tropics, Tropical forestry. Springer, Heidelberg ; New York.
Ehrenberg-Azcárate, F. & Peña-Claros, M. 2020. Twenty years of forest management certification in the tropics: Major trends through time and among continents. Forest Policy and Economics.
Hensbergen, H.J. van. 2018. Rethinking forest concessions - Improving the allocation of state-owned forests for better economic, social and environmental outcomes. Forestry Working Paper No. 4. Rome, FAO. 84pp.
Factfulness
Rosling, H., Rosling, O. and Rosling Rönnlund, A. 2018. Factfulness: Ten reasons we’re wrong about the world – and why things are better than you think.