Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics
Do you want to work with forestry, agroforestry, and forest-related issues in the tropics? This is the course for you! This course will take you through the arc of understanding global issues and theoretical knowledge to the on-the-ground complexities, challenges, and strategies of tropical forest and landscape management activities. You will learn tropical forest and woodland ecology, management systems, agroforestry, forest and landscape restoration, tree and forest products and services, global issues and drivers of land-use and land-use change, the complexities of local conditions, and how to integrate multiple forest- and land-use objectives and manage trade-offs.
The course is given as a campus independent, distance course, which means that you can attend the course remotely from any location.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
SV0056 Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics, 15.0 Credits
Hållbar skogsskötsel och markanvändning i tropikernaSubjects
Forestry Science BiologyEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to tropical forests, ecology, climate | 2.5 | 0001 |
| Agroforestry and multifunctional landscapes | 2.5 | 0002 |
| Forest and landscape restoration | 2.5 | 0003 |
| Management of natural forests | 2.5 | 0004 |
| Factfulness | 2.5 | 0005 |
| Interview project | 2.5 | 0006 |
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
Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits at basic level and15 credits at advanced level in one of the following subjects/fields of study:
- Forestry science
- Forest science
- Forest management
- Agricultural science
The 15 credits in in biology with specialization in ecology
English 6
Objectives
The course prepares students for tasks and challenges when working with sustainable management in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe and analyze how biophysical (e.g., ecology, soils, climate), social, policy, and economic conditions interact and drive the choice of current and future forest and land-use management decisions
- Evaluate the potential benefits and weaknesses of prevalent management systems (natural forest, plantation forestry, agroforestry, and restoration) within the local context (eg economy, livelihoods, ecosystem services, etc.)
- Synthesize the importance of tropical forests in a global context and the global policy agenda
- Assess and interpret how local, context-specific demands, dynamics, values, and complexities affect forest management, land use, and methods applied
- Review, analyze, evaluate, and communicate current forestry issues and research in tropical and subtropical areas.
- In a given context, identify knowledge gaps and propose new solutions.
Content
Content
The course deals with the conditions in nature and society for the development and use of forests in subtropical and tropical regions and provides an overall understanding of how variations in system ecology, community structure and forestry practices differ from northern systems. The course also deals with important silvicultural methods and way of working and use of land with trees and forests, as well as current issues that will be the main drivers for the development of land use and forestry practices in subtropical and tropical regions in the future.
Implementation
The course utilizes different teaching methods to promote student learning and discussion through lectures, assignments, literature studies and discussions. The students get to apply their knowledge to real-life case studies. The course also provides the opportunity for individual in depth studies within a specific area based on the student's own interests, and to take part in a study trip to one of our tropical research areas.
The course focuses on the following generic competencies:
- Critical thinking
- Digital competence
- Oral and written communication
- Team work
- Ability to work independently
- Creativity
- Plan and manage time
*The following sections are mandatory*
Participation during the course call (the first day), seminars, and oral exercises and presentations.
Cooperation with the surrounding society takes place through course assignments and lectures with international guests from various organizations.
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 written assignments
Completed mandatory 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.
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