Practical Silviculture I

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes8

Number of hours for laboratory classes8

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation06.04.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Forest Management

Course developer

Jurģis Jansons

Dr. silv.

Prior knowledge

Biol2002, Dendrology

LauZ2021, Forest Soil Science

MežZ1008, Introduction to Forestry

MežZ2011, Forest Science

Replaced course

MežZB025 [GMEZB025] Practical Silviculture I

Course abstract

The study course includes information on the forestry measures to be performed in the forest management cycle, the theoretical basis of these measures and their practical application for the implementation of economically and socially justified forestry that protects the forest environment.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge of forest use, its principles; for types of cuts of main and intermediate uses of forest, elements of felling areas and types of clearing of felling residues, measures for promotion of natural regeneration of forests, change of species and tree species suitable for each forest site type - laboratory works.
Skills in selecting the most suitable felling type of forest main use and target tree species for forest renovation; skills to determine the intensity of maintenance fellings, to choose the trees to be left and felled; skills to see future and target trees in the stand - practical works.
Competence to assess the impact of each forestry measure on the further development of the forest stand in the context of achieving the strategic goal of forestry - 2 written tests.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Basic concepts of forestry. Forest stand elements or taxation features. Forest management cycle. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
2. Use of forest resources and it's principles. Types of felling of the main use of the forest. Clearcut and it's elements. 2h lectures. 1h laboratory work.
3. Measures for nature protection and preservation of biological diversity during the main felling. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
4. Measures to promote natural forest regeneration. Preservation of undergrowth. Cutting residue cleaning techniques. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
5. The role of fire as an ecological factor in nature. The concept of forest pyrology. Physical and chemical basis of the combustion process. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
6. Classification of forest fires and reasons for their occurrence. Negative and positive effects of forest fires on the environment. 1h lecture. 1 h laboratory work.
7. Non-clearcut types of felling in main use of forest. Gradual cut. Selective cut. 2h lectures. 1h practical work.
8. Test 1: the main use of the forest. 1h practical work.
9. Practical forest typology. Composition of target and conflict stands. Pure and mixed stands. Species change or succession. 1h lecture. 2h practical works.
10. Types and techniques of reforestation. Choice of tree species. Types of soil preparation in clearings. Agrotechnical tending. 1h lecture. 1h practical work.
11. Young growths tending for stands depending on the height of trees. Light condition improvement cut. Young stand composition formation cut. Models for young growth tending cuts. 1h lecture. 1h practical work.
12. Stand volume tending (thinning). Selection of trees to be felled and left. Felling intensity. Cutting models. The principle of organized forest stand. 1h lecture. 1h practical work.
13. Forest fire fighting methods and tactics. Perspective and operational plan of fire safety measures management. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
14. Fire fighting organization plan. Calculation of forest fire damage. 1h laboratory work.
15. Reconstructive and sanitary cuts. Measures to increase the productivity of forest stands. Forest hydrotechnical drainage. 2h lectures.
16. Test 2: afforestation, tending and intermediate use of forest. 1h practical work.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Successfully passed two theoretical tests, performed practical and laboratory works; attendance - at least 75% of the total number of classes.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

In addition to the content of the study course to be acquired in contact hours - lectures, laboratory and practical work, students also acquire the issues included in the content of the study course program independently - in the form of literature studies. Independent work performance control takes place at the beginning of each new lesson, students provide answers to the questions defined in the study course for self-control.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the study course depends on the assessment of two theoretical tests, practical and laboratory works and their cumulative assessment.

A student can obtain a successful grade for a test if at least 50% of the test questions have been answered correctly and completely.
The test mark is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the marks of two written theoretical tests. All laboratory and practical tests must be positively assessed.

Compulsory reading

1. Jaunākie meža nozares likumdošanas akti to pieņemšanas kārtībā (www.likumi.lv).
2. Latvijas meža tipoloģija: mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: studentu biedrība "Šalkone", 2014. 118 lpp.
3. Kopšanas ciršu rokasgrāmata. Autoru kolektīvs. Rīga: A/S "Latvijas valsts meži", 2012. 108 lpp.
4. Zālītis P., Jansons J. Mērķtiecīgi izveidoto kokaudžu struktūra. Salaspils: Latvijas Valsts mežzinātnes institūts "Silava", 2009. 82 lpp. 5. Dreimanis A. Mežsaimniecības pamati, mācību līdzeklis LLU Meža fakultātes studentiem un nozares speciālistiem, A/S LVM, Jelgava: LLU Meža fakultāte, Studentu biedrība "Šalkone". 2016. 219 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Rakstu krājums "Mežzinātne", ISSN 1407-4427.
2. Rakstu krājums "Baltic Forestry", ISSN 1392-1355.
3. Rakstu krājums "Baltijas Koks", ISSN 1407-6667.

Notes

Study course in the 5th semester of the higher academic education bachelor study program "Forest Science".

Atsauksmes