Course code MežZ6020

Credit points 4.50

Management of Private Forests

Total Hours in Course120

Number of hours for lectures32

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16

Independent study hours72

Date of course confirmation30.03.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Forest Management

Course developer

author Mežsaimniecības institūts

Lelde Vilkriste

Dr. silv.

Course abstract

The study course provides information about the private forest sector and its development trends in Latvia and the world. Structural changes of private forest properties and owners, tendencies of private forest management and their connection with the means of forest policy implementation are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the role and support of the state in promoting the management of the private forest sector, research on the motivation of forest owners and various forms of cooperation. An insight into the role of the private forest sector in economic development, foreign experience and research results, as well as the use of information technologies in private forest sector management planning will be provided..

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completing the course, students will have:
* knowledge of the private forest sector and its characterizing factors, management tendencies and its role in economic development (practical work; homework; participation in discussions);
* skills to research, summarize, evaluate and analyze information on the factors influencing the development of the private forest sector in Latvia and abroad (practical work; homework; presentation);
* comprehension about private forest sector management planning principles and development strategy (practical work; participation in discussions; presentation).

Course Content(Calendar)

Characteristics of the private forest sector in Latvia, Europe and the world (lect. -2h).
Development of the private forest sector in Latvia (lect. -1h).
Structural changes of forest properties and owners in Latvia and Europe (lect. -2h; pr.w. - 1h).
Characterization of private forest owners and research on their needsin Latvia (lect. -2h).
Legislation and normative requirments in private forest management (lect. -2h).
Forest policy and international processes (lect. -1h).
The role and support function of the state in promoting private forest management (lect. -1h).
Tendencies of private forest management in Latvia (logging, restoration, maintenance, afforestation of non-agricultural lands, etc.) (lect. -2h; pr.w. - 1h).
Environmental protection and private forest sector (lect. -1h; pr.w. - 1h).
State support for forestry activities (lect. -1h; pr.w. - 2h).
Extnsion system for private forest owners (lect. -2h; pr.w. - 1h).
Attitude of private forest owners towards Latvian forest policy and its implementation (lect. -2h; pr.w. - 1h).
Organizations, forms of cooperation and cooperation of private forest owners (lect. -2h; pr.w. - 1h).
The latest technologies for forest management planning and timber trade (lect. -2h; pr.w. - 1h).
The role of the private forest sector in economic development (lect. -1h).
Interest groups and their role in the development of the private forest sector (lect. -1h; pr.w. - 1h).
Challenges in improving the management of the private forest sector (lect. -2h; pr.w. - 2h).
Foreign experience in a private forest management organization (lect. -3h; pr.w. - 2h).
International projects and research on solutions for efficient management of the private forest sector (lect. -2h; pr.w. - 2h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

The final test consists of a written part and an oral part on theoretical issues and topics acquired in practical work.
Until the test, all practical work and presentation, all independent work and homeworks must be completed.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The independent works means to develop/ complete the started practical work in detail, preparing the assigned homework, additionally getting acquainted with a more detailed presentation of the issues covered in the lessons and preparing presentations or materials for discussions. All works must be designed and submitted within the specified deadlines, in accordance with the instructions given in lectures and practical classes.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Assessment of knowledge and skills takes place on a 10-point scale. The final test may not be taken if the evaluation of each practical work and presentation is 6 and higher. The evaluation is based on the evaluation of the presentation (60%), practical work (20%) and other activities - active participation in lectures (participation in discussions, participation in group work, substantiation / argumentation of one's opinion) (20%).

Delayed and non-credited practical works must be developed in accordance with the procedures and at the time of admission specified by the lecturer no later than two weeks after the delayed lesson (if there are justifying documents for a long delay - within two weeks from the resumption of studies).

Compulsory reading

1. Donis J. (2018) Privāto mežu apsaimniekošanas un meža īpašumu konsolidācijas un kooperācijas procesa monitorings. Pētījuma pārskats. Salaspils: LVMI ‘Silava”. 51 lpp.
2. Vilkriste L. (2008) Privātā meža sektora attīstību ietekmējošo faktoru analīze. Pētījuma atskaite. Jelgava: LLU. 51 lpp.
3. Forest Land Ownership Change in Europe (July 2015): COST Action FP1201 FACESMAP Country Reports, Joint Volume. ISBN 978-3-900932-26-8.
4. Mapping the Distribution of Forest Ownership in Europe (2013) Technical Report 88. EFI. 91 p.

Further reading

1. Domkins A. Meža nozares ekonomiskās situācijas monitorings. Pētījuma atskaite. Jelgava: SIA “Meža un koksnes produktu pētniecības un attīstības insititūts”, 2009. 112 lpp.
2. Lawrencea A., Deuffic P., Hujala T., Nichiforel L., Feliciano D., Jodlowski K., Lind T., Marchal D., Talkkari A., Teder M., Vilkriste L., Wilhelmsson E. Extension, advice and knowledge systems for private forestry: Understanding diversity and change across Europe. Land Use Policy, Vol. 94, 2020, 104522. Pieejams: https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/science/article/pii/S0264837719306726
3. Forest Policy and Economics. Volume 99, 2019: Forest ownership change: trends and issues. 168 p. ISSN: 1389-9341

Periodicals and other sources

1. Laikraksts "Meža avīze": ISSN 1407-6187
2. http://facesmap.boku.ac.at/
3. http://new.llkc.lv/lv/nozares/mezsaimnieciba/meza-konsultaciju-pakalpojumu-centrs
4. https://www.iufro.org/science/divisions/division-9/
5. Small-scale Forestry: ISSN1873-7854
6. www.likumi.lv
7. www.mezaipaznieki.lv
8. www.mezsaimieks.lv

Notes

Study course for students of the master's study program "Forest Science" specially course of the Faculty of Forestry.