Print Syllabus

Syllabus

SV0027 Forest History - Human utilisation and vegetation dynamics , 15.0 Credits

Skogshistoria - människans nyttjande av skogen och vegetationens dynamik

Subjects

Forestry Science Biology

Education cycle

Master’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Single module	15.0	0001

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to 120 hp including 60 hp within the following areas:


- Forestry science
- Forest science
- Forest management
- Biology
- Soil science
- Environmental sciences
- Natural resource management
- Natural geography
- Archeology
- History

and English level 6.

Objectives

The overarching aim of this course is to provide an in-depth understanding of of the vegetation dynamics of forests in northern Europe in a millennial time perspective and a fundamental understanding of how people have utilized forests as a resource for fuel, grazing, food, and industrial raw materials and as a religious space, with a focus on recent centuries. This knowledge will also be put in a broader, international context to provide an overview of the past global vegetation development and comparisons of human use of other forest ecosystems in the world. During this course, students will become familiar with forest history research methods (historical records and paleoecological methods). Students will apply these methods in the field and recognize the interactions between people and forest ecosystems in an historical perspective. Key concepts include historical climate change, legacies of human forest use, and natural forest dynamics and transitions. This course will also provide useful skills on critical reading and scientific writing.

After completing the course the student should be able to

• describe the vegetation development and climatic variations in northern European boreal zone during the Holocene and place the current state of the forest ecosystems in a historical perspective.
• identify and evaluate the main drivers of ecosystem change that have shaped the boreal forest during the last few centuries.
• use forest history methods in practice—pollen analysis, dendrochronology, and historical records— and summarize the potential and limitations of these methods.
• identify traces related to Sami, agrarian, pre-industrial, and industrial uses in today’s forests (utilizing appropriate forest history tools), and explore ways to apply this knowledge to the relevant laws which protect the historical legacy of these traces.
• account for the historical development of silvicultural methods in boreal forestry and how they have shaped current forests.
• apply theories and knowledge of forest history to current forest management, biodiversity management, and management of the cultural heritage
• synthesize and present gained knowledge orally and in writing.

Content

Subject Content
During the course, students will familiarize themselves with forest historical research methods (historical source material and paleoecological methods). Students will have the opportunity to try out these methods in the field and discover the interaction between humans and forests from a historical perspective. Key concepts include historical climate change, historical traces of human activity in the forest, and naturally dynamic processes and transitions in forest ecosystems. The course will also cover critical review and scientific writing.

Implementation
The course utilizes various teaching methods to promote student learning and discussions through:

Fieldwork with sampling including dendrochronological methods; dendrochronological lab work and data analysis; reading and critical evaluation of scientific literature; seminar series throughout the course period; group work resulting in a scientific paper; individual interview report and presentation; abstract writing; interactive lectures.

The course focuses on the following general competencies
Scientific reading and writing, data analysis and interpretation, literature critique, oral presentation.

The following elements are mandatory
Fieldwork, lab work, seminar series, student presentations, selected lectures.

Interaction with the surrounding society occurs through
Local and regional historical museums, associations, private consultants, and forestry companies.

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

Completed mandatory components, approved oral tasks, written reports, and presentations.

• Approved written reports.

• Approved presentations.

• Approved oral tasks.

• Completed mandatory components.

• 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.

Responsible department

Department of Forest ecology and Management