Silviculture

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes24

Independent study hours57

Date of course confirmation16.03.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Forest Management

Course developer

prof.

Olga Miezīte

Dr. silv.

Course abstract

The silviculture includes the analyses of the forest management system and results of its application and the information that provides knowledge to evaluate and forecast consequences of forester’s practical activities to ensure the sustainable, ecological and commercial forestry.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

The acquired knowledge is able to use in discussions about the occurrence of forest ecosystems in the regions of Latvia, distribution, productivity, competently substantiate and interpret calculated dendrometry indices of forest stands, knows the biological and forestry importance of native and introduced tree species, tree classification and species change and their importance in forest ecosystems
Test 1 - active participation in seminars 1, 2 and 3 and participation in a study tour of the Šķēdes Forest District (8 h) Scientific Plots (ZPL) on introduced tree species (assignments during the study tour - Recognition of ZPR introduced tree species), measurement, measurement evaluation - individual work in groups, test.
The seminars provide an in-depth study of the theoretical course on reforestation, target species to be cultivated, and their growth rate depending on the type of forest, competently justifying the advantages and disadvantages of anthropogenic and natural regeneration -
Test 2 - active participation in workshops 4, 5 and 6 discussions and study trip to Jelgava forest district ZPL - forest regeneration and maintenance evaluation ZPL, measurement, independent evaluation, justification and interpretation (group work), test.
In-depth knowledge and skills of presenting and discussing specific issues, as well as competence in forest management, its types and modules, depending on tree species and forest type, pruning and evaluation.
Test 3 - active participation 7-16 seminar discussions (group work), test.

After completing the study course - to participate competently in discussions and to make decisions in solving and interpreting various forestry issues.

Course Content(Calendar)

Seminars (16 h) and practical works (16 h)
1. Forest ecosystem structure, components and functioning (1 h).
2. Biological and economic characterization of native trees (1 h).
3. Care of coniferous and deciduous forest ecosystems (1h).
4. Prospects of introduced tree species in Latvia (1 h).
5. Natural regeneration of forest for economically significant tree species (1 h).
6. Anthropogenic forest regeneration and initial planting thickness and care (1 h).
7. Forests and history of nursing care (1 h).
8. Principles of adolescent care (1 h).
9. Care of coniferous forest ecosystems (1 h).
10. Forest ecosystem care of deciduous stands (1 h).
11. Collections, their history and principles of care (1 h).
12. Care of pine and spruce stands (1 h).
13. Care of deciduous forest stands (1 h).
13. Care cherry models (1 h).
14. Theoretical basis of tree pruning. Tree selection, number, pruning time (1 h).
15. Excursion in Jelgava forest district. Practical evaluation of Coptic forest stands (8 h).

16. Excursion in Šķēde forest district. Introducing plantations of introduced tree species (8 h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

The number of lessons missed in the course cannot exceed 10% of the total number of lessons. Active participation in seminars and tours in Jelgava and Šķēde forest districts. Successful completion of independent work.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Survey of permanent plots and data processing.
Preparation for seminars and test on topics discussed in seminars.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Knowledge, skills and competence are assessed on a 10-point scale. The score is successful if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly.
There must be passed credit for participation in seminars and independent work (collection, processing and interpretation of surveyed data). Written test with mark.

Compulsory reading

1. 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. E-grāmata. (PDF). Resurss pieejams tiešsaistē http://www.mf.llu.lv/sites/mf/files/files/articles/Kok_krumi_zemsedzes_augi_latvijas_mezaudzes.pdf
2. Zālītis P., Jansons J. Latvijas meža tipoloģija un tās sākotne. Daugavpils: Akadēmiskais apgāds "Saule", 2013. 167 lpp.
3. Zālītis P. Mežkopības priekšnosacījumi. Rīga: LVMI "Silava": Et cetera, 2006. 217 lpp.
4. Uotila K. Optimization of early cleaning and precommercial thinning methods in juvenile stand management of Norway spruce stands. UH, Finland, 2017. ISSN: 2323-9220
5.Amacher G.S., Ollikainen M., Koskela E. Economics of Forest Resources. London, England: The MIT Press, 2019. ISBN 978-0-262-01248-5
Forest Management and Planning. P. Bettinger at all. Second edition. London: Academic Press, 2017. 349 p. ISBN 9780128097069 (PDF). E-grāmata. (PDF).{ Resurss pieejams tiešsaistē LLU datortīklā}
Forest Ecosystems: management, impact assessment and conservation. D. Elliott, editor. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2017. 172 p.
6. Wildlife protection, destruction, and extinction. ISBN 9781634857949 (iesiets). Pieejams datubāzē EBSCO. {Resurss pieejams LLU datortīklā}
7. Forest hydrology: processes, management and assessment. Edited by D. M. Amatya et all. Boston, MA: CAB International, 2016. 294p. ISBN 9781780646602

Periodicals and other sources

1. Rakstu krājums "Mežzinātne", ISSN 1407-4427

2. Rakstu krājums "Baltic Forestry", ISSN 1392-1355

3. Baltic Forestry, ISSN 1392-1355

Notes

Academic Master's study program “Forest Science”, II semester, II block

Atsauksmes