Course code MežZ3085

Credit points 4.50

Function and Production of Forests: Introduction

Total Hours in Course120

Number of hours for lectures24

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes24

Independent study hours72

Date of course confirmation15.10.2019

Responsible UnitInstitute of Forest Management

Course developer

author lect.

Edgars Dubrovskis

Mg. silv.

Replaced course

MežZB010 [GMEZB010] Function and Production of Forests: Introduction

Course abstract

Forest ecosystem structure and ongoing processes. Elements and characteristics of forest structure. Trees and shrubs. Determination of tree characteristics. Tree differentiation. Types of forest use. Timber harvesting. Types of felling. Fundamentals of forest typology. Reforestation. Game management. Forest guarding against fire.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Acquire knowledge of forest ecosystems, construction elements and characteristics; hunting farm. Is able to focus on forestry terminology, and is capable of determining elements of forest ecosystem architecture, describing and calculating forest stand characteristics (1st Test, practical work).
Gain knowledge of forest typology, knowledge acquired can be applied to determine edaphic rows and forest types. Gets knowledge of the types of forest use and is able to define the types of felling used in forestry and their application objectives (2nd Test, practical work).
Gaining knowledge and being able to focus on silviculture processes related to reforestation and forest protection (3rd Test, practical work).
After learning the study course, students are competent in forest terminology and classifying and challenging forest-based silvicultural processes (Workshop).

Course Content(Calendar)

Lecture List
1. Concepts of forestry, silviculture and forest science. World, European and Latvian forests. (Lecture 1h)
2. Forest ecosystem concept, structure and basic functions. (Lecture 1h + Practical work 1h)
3. Forest construction elements, types of forest stands and their composition. (Lecture 2h + Practical work 1h)
4. Forest stand characteristics: prevailing and main tree species, diameter, height, site index, thickness and density. (Lecture 2h + Practical work 1h)
5. Forest stand characteristics: composition, basal area, stocking. (Lecture 2h + Practical work 1h)
Test 1: Forest Ecosystems, Forest Construction Elements and Characteristics
7. Forest typology. (Lecture 1h + Practical work 1h)
8. History of forest typology. Basic principles of forest typology. Trophic groups of forest ecosystems. (Lecture 2h + Practical work 1h)
9. Forest uses and their characterization. (Lecture 1h + Practical work 1h)
10. Final felling types. Regeneration felling (clear cutting). (Lecture 1h + Practical work 1h)
11. Thinning. Salvage logging. Landscape felling. Sampling. (Lecture 2h + Practical work 2h)
12. Reconstructive felling. Deforestation felling. Other felling. (Lecture 2h + Practical work 1h)
Test 2: Forest typology and forest use
14. Game management (Lecture 1h)
15. Natural and anthropogenic (artificial) regeneration of forest. (Lecture 1h + Practical work 1h)
16. Forest guarding and its organisation. Causes of wildfire occurrence. Wildfire Scheme. (Lecture 1h + Practical work 1h)
17. Types of wildfires. Preventive measures for reducing and disseminating fire numbers. (Lecture 1h + Practical work 1h)
Test 3: Forest regeneration types and forest guarding
19. Problems and solutions of forest ecosystem management (Seminar 5h).

List of Practical Works
1. Determining forest construction elements. (1h)
2. Determining the average and height of trees. (1h)
3. Determining dendrometric characteristics of forests. (1h)
4. Determining naturally and anthropogenically established edaphic rows. (1h)

5. Plan preventive measures to reduce the number of fires and, if necessary, limit the spread of fires in the specific forest stands. (1h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

For final assessment:
• the number of lessons delayed in the study course should not exceed 10% of the number of all expected lessons.
• test and practical work provided should be positively assessed.
• attend and actively participate in the workshop lesson.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Prepare independently for lectures, tests, practical work lessons according to the study course plan.
Independently, 2 reports on the topics included in the study course programme should be written and submitted for evaluation.
Previously divided groups prepare up to 15 min long presentation for a workshop lesson on current forest management problems.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of knowledge, skills and competence takes place on a 10-point scale. An oral or written answer is successful if at least 50% of the questions answered correctly. The final assessment forms from the cumulative assessment of 3 study course tests (each 20 %) and 2 report (each 20%) assessment. The evaluation of practical works takes place in nature, how competent a student is able to obtain theoretical knowledge and skills to apply in forest - ecosystem recognition and characterization. Requirements and arrangements of overdue lessons: practical works can rework at the specified before time and order. A single option given for verbal answering of unsuccessful tests.

Compulsory reading

1. Forest Management and Planning. P. Bettinger at all. Second edition. London: Academic Press, 2017. 349 p. 1 tiešsaistes resurss. ISBN 9780128097069 (PDF)
E-grāmata. (PDF).
{Resurss pieejams tiešsaistē LLU datortīklā}
2. Forest Ecosystems: management, impact assessment and conservation. D. Elliott, editor. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2017. 172 p. Wildlife protection, destruction, and extinction. ISBN 9781634857949 (iesiets). Pieejams datubāzē EBSCO.
{Resurss pieejams LLU datortīklā}
3. Forest hydrology: processes, management and assessment. Edited by D. M. Amatya et all. Boston, MA: CAB International, 2016. 294p ISBN 9781780646602

Further reading

1. Starptautiskais zinātnisko rakstu krājums "Baltic Forestry". ISSN 1392-1355
2. LLU Raksti. Proceedings of LAU. ISSN 1407-4427
3. Zinātnisko rakstu krājums “Mežzinātne" www.silava/mezzinatne/lv ISSN 1407-270X

Notes

For academic bachelor study program “Sustainable forestry” students