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Forest Ecology

Course developers

Course abstract

During this study course students gain theoretical and practical knowledge about the structure, processes and dynamics of forest ecosystems as well as the significance and interaction of environmental factors, forest stability, productivity, change, spatial scales, sustainable management of forest ecosystems and innovative methods in forest ecosystem research.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

During this course students will gain deeper understanding about the geographical distribution of forest biomes, their diversity, forest ecosystem structure (1. Test), functions and dynamics, basic principles of sustainable forest management, environmental factors, the significance of forest ecosystems in global and local scales (2. Test). Students will master their problem-solving skills using new knowledge about the conservation and management of forest ecosystems (1. and 2. independent work).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Biosphere. Terrestrial ecosystems. Forest biomes (2h).
2. Forest ecology. Structure, functions, dynamics and diversity of forest ecosystems (4h).
3. Energy and nutrient cycles in forest ecosystems (2h).
4. Trophical structure of forest ecosystems (2h).
5. Population dynamics (5h).
6. Succession. Interactions of biotic and abiotic factors in forest ecosystems. Other influencing factors and their dynamics. Anthropogenic factors (6h).
7. Factors influencing the productivity, stability and variability of forest ecosystems (3h).
8. Genetic, species, ecosystem and landscape level characterization of forest ecosystems (2h).
1. test
9. Landscape ecological approach in the assessments of forest ecosystems (4h).
10. Principles of sustainable forest management (2h).
11. The role and conservation of biodiversity in forest ecosystems (4h).
12. Ecological requirements and integration in management (4h).
13. The diversity and multifunctional use of forest ecosystems (2h).
14. The dynamics of forest ecosystems in global context. Processes and models (2h).
15. Research methods and practice in forest ecology (2h).
16. The use of alternative and innovative research methods (2h).
2. test

Requirements for awarding credit points

Course examination consists of:
1. Two written assignments (each contributes 20% of the final grade);
2. Oral exam (contributes 60% of the final grade).
It is required to pass all tests and finish assignments, and required course attendance is at least 75%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

-1st written assignment entitled “The impact of forest ecosystems in changing climate” (including the analysis of current conditions and predictions for future). The total volume up to15 p. The presentation of paper after submission is required.
-2nd written assignment entitled “An assessment of ecological requirements and their integration in management with special focus on production forest landscape” (including the assessment on species, ecosystem and landscape level). The total volume up to15 p. The presentation of paper after submission is required.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

-Course attendance – at least 75% for lectures and lab assignments.
-Student earns a positive grade for tests if at least 60% of test questions are correct.
-Written assignments have to be submitted before the deadline and observing the requirements for composing and formatting of the text.
-The final grade is comprised of two written assignments (each contributes to 20% of the final grade) and oral exam (60% of the final grade).

Compulsory reading

1. Chapin III F.S., Matson P.A., Vitousek P. Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. New York: Springer Science & Business Media. 2011.
2. Molles M. 2008. Ecology: Concepts and Application. Toronto: McGraw Hill publisher, 2008..
3. With K.A. Essentials of Landscape Ecology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019.

Further reading

1. Elliott D. Forest Ecosystems. Management, Impact assessment and Conservation. New Your: Nova Science Publishers, 2017.
2. Perera A.H., Buse L.J., Crow T. Forest Landscape Ecology; Transferring knowledge to practice. New Yourk: Springer, 2007.
3. Forest Diversity and Management Edited by D. L. Hawksworth and A. T. Bull. New York: Springer, 2006.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Bonan G.B. Forests and climate change: forcings, feedbacks, and the climate benefits of forests. Science, Vol. 320, 2008, p. 1444-1449.
2. Ellison D., Morris C.E., Locatelli B., Sheil D., Cohen J., Murdiyarso D., Gutierrez V., Van Noordwijk M., Creed I.F., Pokorny J. and Gaveau D. Trees, forests and water: Cool insights for a hot world. Global Environmental Change, Vol. 43, 2017, p. 51-61.
3. Gamfeldt L., Snäll T., Bagchi R., Jonsson M., Gustafsson L., Kjellander P., Ruiz-Jaen M.C., Fröberg M., Stendahl J., Philipson C.D. and Mikusiński G. Higher levels of multiple ecosystem services are found in forests with more tree species. Nature communications, Vol. 4, 2013, p. 1340.
4. Hooper D.U., Chapin F.S., Ewel J.J., Hector A., Inchausti P., Lavorel S., Lawton J.H., Lodge D.M., Loreau M., Naeem S. and Schmid B. Effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning: a consensus of current knowledge. Ecological monographs, Vol. 75 (1), 2005, pp. 3-35.
5. Jõgiste K., Korjus H., Stanturf J.A., Frelich L.E., Baders E., Donis J., Jansons A., Kangur A., Köster K., Laarmann D. and Maaten T. Hemiboreal forest: natural disturbances and the importance of ecosystem legacies to management. Ecosphere, Vol. 8 (2), 2017, p. e01706.
6. Wardle D.A., Bardgett R.D., Klironomos J.N., Setälä H., Van Der Putten W.H. and Wall D.H. Ecological linkages between aboveground and belowground biota. Science, Vol. 304 (5677), 2004, p.1629-1633.

Notes

Mandatory course for students in academic bachelor study program “Sustainable Forestr