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Risk Management in Forestry I

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to provide basic information about forest management risks, approaches and tools of their financial impact assessment. Mainly abiotic factors (wind, fire) are analyzed. Climate change is characterized and its complex effect on tree survival and growth, probability of damage is analyzed.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1. The student knows the fire and wind damage risks in forest management and forecasts of their changes (seminars, practical classes).
2. The student is able to describe and calculate the financial impact of wind storms (Test).
3. The student is competent to assess fire and wind risks and prepare an action plan (strategy) to mitigate these risks for a particular forest property / manager (seminars, practical classes and final test).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. The most significant risks in forestry, attitude towards risk, risk management.
2. Changes in probability and wind speeds of storms and possibilities to increase the resistance and resilience of forest stands.
3. Assessment of storm damage probability – group work and individual assignment, field seminar.
4. Forest fires - origin, impact on survival and increment of trees and other components of forest ecosystem, post-fire regeneration. Test.
5. Effect of climatic conditions on tree growth: dendroclimatology.
6. Changes in frequency of droughts, their potential impact on forest regeneration and tree growth.

7. Assessment of tree increment and root system, development and connection meteorological conditions (primarily drought) – field seminar.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Course assessment - formal test with a grade.
The seminar should be attended and the given tasks performed. Individual assignments completed and credited; tests given during the course completed. Final test in the form of choice and open questions at the end of the course. For a successful completion of the final test, at least 50% of answers must be correct.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Systematic studies of theory based on the course plan and assignments. Preparation for seminars (based on provided literature), active participation in discussions and preparation and completion of individual assignments.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Knowledge, skills and competence are assessed on a 10-grade scale. An oral or written answer is successful if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly.
Assessment is cumulative and consists of the results in the seminar and individual assignments (60 %), test during the course (40 %).
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The tests are evaluated according to the set procedure – based on the answers to the questions given in the methodological descriptions, provided at the beginning of each study period, the individual assignments are evaluated based on the demonstrated competence to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge and skills.
Requirements and procedures for delayed classes: seminars must be processed within the time and order specified, and one opportunity is given for verbally answering or re-writing the unsuccessful tests.

Compulsory reading

Handbook of forest resource economics. Edited by S. Kant and J. R.R. Alavalapati. Abingdon: Routledge, 2014. 559 p.
Gardiner, B., Schuck, A., Schelhaas, M.-J., Orazio, C., Blennow, K., Nicoll, B. (Eds.), 2013. Living With Storm Damage to Forests: What Science Can Tell Us 3. European Forest Institute.
Edinburg University Forest Risk platform: [tiešsaiste] [skatīts23.10.2019.] Pieejams: https://forestrisks.net/

Further reading

Seppälä R., Buck A., Katila P. Adaptation of Forests and People to Climate Change: A Global Assessment Report. Tampere: Esa-Print Oy, 2009. 224 p.
Mohren G.M.J. Impacts of Global Change on Tree Physiology and Forest Ecosystems. Dordecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1997. 196 p.

Notes

For students of academic bachelor program “Sustainable forestry”