Print Syllabus

Syllabus

SV0018 Forest ecology and production potential, 7.5 Credits

Skogens ekologi och produktionsförmåga

Subjects

Forestry Science Biology

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Project work	2.0	0102
Written exam	5.5	0103

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G1N)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

General entry requirements for first-cycle studies and



- Science studies 1b, or Science studies 1a1 + 1a2, or Science studies A



or equivalent knowledge

Objectives

The aim of the course is to create a basic understanding of the conditions for the forest’s ability to maintain and deliver different types of ecosystem services and values. The course also provides an introduction to how forestry management interact with abiotic and biotic site conditions.

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• briefly describe the earth’s biome, as well as the conditions typical for the common forest types in Sweden

• describe basic concepts in soil science, hydrology and climatology, as well as have an overview of Sweden’s bedrock and soils, and soils commonly found on forest land

• describe local and global cycles for carbon and the most important plant nutrients in the forest ecosystem.

• briefly describe the physiological and ecological conditions that determine distribution and productivity for the common organisms in Swedish forest land (both trees and other organisms)

• explain at a basic level how forest management affect biodiversity and the delivery of various ecosystem services

• prepare and conduct an oral presentation.

Content

The course mainly deals with Swedish conditions, but also provides insight into forests and forest management in other parts of the world. Lectures, group exercises, assignments and presentation of project work include

• how different organisms are adapted to their environment, and how these adaptions affect the structure and dynamics of forest ecosystems

• basic concepts and processes in soil science and ecology with significance for growth and biodiversity of trees and other organisms in the forest

• basic principles for the biogeochemical cycles (e.g. those for carbon and nitrogen), energy flows, as well as factors and processes that regulate the forest’s primary production and biological diversity

• factors that enable and limit the different values of the forest and an introduction to how forest management interact with the abiotic site conditions

• how to prepare and conduct an oral presentation.

Mandatory elements consist of presenting one’s own project work and participation during project presentations by others.

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

• 7,5 credits Natural processes

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

Passed written examination, approved exercises and assignments, as well as completed oral presentation.

• 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 syllabus is uppdated in accordance with the decisions 2021-02-11 (§§ 9-10) by the Board of Education on the main field of study Forestry science and on degree requirements (SLU.sfak.2021.3.1.1-22). It thus replaces SG0267, decided by the Programme Board for Education in Forestry (PN-S) 2020-11-11 (SLU.sfak.2020.3.1.1-447), due to changed field of study.

Responsible department

Department of Ecology

Cooperating departments: