Course code MežZ6006

Credit points 3

Forest Ecology I

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures24

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes8

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation08.11.2011

Responsible UnitInstitute of Forest Management

Course developer

author prof.

Inga Straupe

Dr. silv.

Course abstract

1.Knowledge - the distribution and diversity of forests bioms, the structure, functions, dynamics of forest ecosystems, biodiversity, specificity of environmental influences, the role of forest in the maintenance of local and global environment – 1st seminar;
2.Skills – to see and formulate topical questions of forest ecosystem conservation and management – 2nd seminar;
3.Competence - the solution of problems related to the research of forest ecosystems and sustainable management of forest resources – 3rd seminar, the presentation of individual work “The topic of master thesis in relation to ecology”.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Course of study provides an in-depth knowledge of the forest biome distribution and diversity of the forest ecosystem structure, function, dynamics, biodiversity, environmental impact specificity, role of forests in global and local environmental maintenance. Master develops skills to identify and define current forest ecosystem protection and management issues. After learning course they are competent to independently solve problems related to forest ecosystem research and sustainable management of forest resources.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Biosphere. Terrestrial ecosystems. Forest bioms. European forest bioms. 2 h
2. Bioms of mixed forests. The ecological characteristics of forests in Latvia. 4 h
3.1st seminar. 1 h
4. Forest ecosystem: structure, functions, dynamics, diversity. 2 h
5. The flow of energy and substances in forest ecosystems. 1 h
6. The trophical structure of ecosystem. Consortium. Ecological niche. Ecological capacity. 2 h
7. The forest biota. Biodiversity. 2 h
8. 2nd seminar. 1 h
9. The structure and dynamics of environmental impact. 2 h
10. The interaction of impact factors, adjustment options. 2 h
11. The types, specifics and changing abilities of anthropogenic impact. 2 h
12. 3rd seminar. 1 h
13. Forest ecology and the management. 2 h
14. The stability and productivity of forest ecosystems. 2 h
15. Ecology of populations. 2 h
16. The presentation of the individual work. 4 h

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

3 seminars and the presentation of the individual work.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the study course (the test with mark) is based on the cumulative assessment of the results of seminars and the individual work. In the case of refinement of the mark, the student answers additional questions.
The seminars are evaluated in accordance with the established assessment procedure - to prepare answers to all questions of the seminars.

Compulsory reading

1. Melecis V. Ekoloģija. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2011. 352 lpp.
2. Dabas aizsardzība. O.Nikodemus, G.Brūmelis (red. un sast.) Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2011. 288 lpp.
3. Kimmins J. P. Forest Ecology. 3rd ed., 2003. 596 p.
4. Liepa I., Mauriņš A., Vimba E. 1991. Ekoloģija un dabas aizsardzība. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1991. 203 lpp.
5. Miller, G. Tyler 1990. Living in the environment. An introduction to environmental science. 6th ed. Belmonth, 1990. 620 p.

Further reading

1. Švarcbahs J. u.c., Ekoloģija un vides aizsardzība. Mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLU, 2006. 225 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Forest Ecology, Journal of Forest Sciences in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. ISSN: 1392-1355.
2. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. ISSN: 0282-7581.
3. Лесоведение, журнал Института лесоведения Российслой академии наук. ISSN: 0024-1148.

Notes

Forest science (master level)