Practical Silviculture

Total Hours in Course40

Independent study hours40

Date of course confirmation16.03.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Forest Management

Course developer

lect.

Edgars Dubrovskis

Mg. silv.

Prior knowledge

Biol1012, Forest Botany

Biol2002, Dendrology

LauZ2021, Forest Soil Science

MežZ1008, Introduction to Forestry

MežZ2011, Forest Science

MežZ3069, Practical Silviculture I

Replaced course

MežZK007 [GMEZK007] Practical Silviculture

Course abstract

The aim of this course paper is to improve the knowledge in silviculture, acquiring to use the forestry related legislation documents for the planning of forest management. In a forest massif, which covers an area of 1000-1200 ha, there are the cuts of forest main use and thinnings planned, as well the forest regeneration and other silvicultural activities.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Strengthen knowledge of the requirements of the regulatory documents regulating forest management and economic activities. Develop skills to prepare and use forest management plans using knowledge acquired from the theoretical study course and look at specific forest management options from different aspects.

As a result, competence arises for the planning of sufficiently justified and alternative forestry measures, both theoretical and practical, for the planning and management of forest-related activities, as well as for the quality control of the performance of works - independent work in consultation with the teacher.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. General characteristics of the forest area. Forest land allocation by woodland categories. (2 hours)
2. Silviculture characteristics of the forest area. Distribution of forest stand areas by tree species and site index. (2 hours)
3. Distribution of forest stand area and stocks by prevailing tree species and age class. (2 hours)
4. Forest stand density characteristics. Distribution of forest stand area by forest growing conditions types and prevailing tree species. (2 hours)
5. Characteristics of forest stands' resilience to adverse ecological factors and sanitary condition. (2 hours)
6. Design of forestry measures. Clear-cutting felling techniques. (2 hours)
7. Natural regeneration of forest. (2 hours)
8. Gradual and sampling felling. (2 hours)
9. Changes in stand tax rates for gradual, group random and regulated sampling felling. (2 hours)
10. Conservation and environmental diversity conservation measures through final felling. (2 hours)
11. Tending of regenerated forests (young stands). (2 hours)
12. Thinning in forest stands with an average height of less than 12 metres. (2 hours)
13. Thinning in forest stands with an average height of 12 and more metres. (2 hours)
14. Pruning of growing trees. Landscape thinning. (2 hours)
15. Design of other forest material extraction. (2 hours)
16. Design and advocacy of course work. (10 hours)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Within certain time limits, following a pre-approved schedule, submit the individual course work sections for evaluation.
The student shall develop the course work qualitatively, the separate work sections and the entire course work shall be submitted within the specified time limits and at the end of the semester the course work shall be defended.
Final score: Offset with mark-up.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Students shall perform the course job assignments independently and according to the timeline and practical work materials previously given. Unclear issues are discussed individually or during the consultation of the small group.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

• Course work content compliance with LR legislation, good practice of carrying out forestry operations, manuals, etc. for information sources.
• Design of course work - in line with the rules for drawing up final works, can be found on the Forestry faculty website.
• Defending the course by presenting the results of course work – presentation design and presentation skills.

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

Atsauksmes