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Forest Regeneration

Course developer

Course abstract

Field practice includes overview of agro-techniques and technologies of forest regeneration with native tree species, collection, storage and control of seed material as well as production of different seedling types in forest nurseries. Methodology for control of requirements of normative acts and specifics of afforestation and establishment of plantations are analyzed.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

In field practice students gain knowledge about seed procurement, production of plant material and planting. After the practice students are competent to evaluate the compliance of regenerated area with requirements of normative acts. Students are skilled to recommend appropriate type of afforestation for specific circumstances.

Course Content(Calendar)

Day 1. At SIA Rīgas Meži, students evaluate the process and success of forest regeneration, natural regeneration after final felling. The route includes a forest regeneration object (Garkalne, SIA Rīgas Meži), where the forest regeneration was performed by sowing both manually and mechanically. Students evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of sown areas, assess what they have learned in lectures and gain knowledge about the usefulness of such a forest regeneration method in specific conditions. 8 h
Day 2. Forest Research Station object or private forest property. Students gain knowledge on the specifics of organizing regeneration activities in private forest property, learn the main problems encountered, what are the planning and monitoring processes and solutions to improve efficiency (the company has developed an electronic system for organizing and monitoring soil preparation works, supervision of planting works, organization and supervision of agrotechnical (tending) and precommercial thinning) 8 h
Day 3. Lecture by JSC LVM Zemgale region representatives on the specifics of the company's activities in the context of forest regeneration and maintenance of young stands.
JSC LVM forest object in Tukums forest district, where students acquire both knowledge and skills in connection with tending and plant protection measures. As far as possible, soil preparation works are assessed, knowledge and skills about the application of various means of protection of young plants against browsing damage are acquired, the basic principles of control of precommercial thinning are mastered. 8 h
Day 4. Norupe tree nursery managed by SIA Rīgas Meži, where students gain extensive knowledge about the process of growing forest seedlings and plants of various species, moreover, this is one of the few nurseries not managed by JSC LVM and visited during studies, therefore students are introduced to different type of nursery management. The process of seed production is also explored there, because in the territory of this nursery you can visit seed plantations of the most economically important tree species in Latvia (pine, spruce, birch, black alder, oak). Next to it is a progeny test site of pines, where students can evaluate the influence of tree breeding (and planting) to forestry and compare it with a naturally regenerated stand of the same age under similar growing conditions. It provides a better understanding of the information from lectures - why it is worth planting the forest aspect to be considered, when selecting the planting material (both physiological and genetic quality).
Object Jaunpēternieki is a research object established by LVMI Silava researcher D.Lazdiņa, where one can acquire knowledge about different types of soil preparation and practical results of using different types of planting material. In this site side by side is plantation without soil preparation, planting is soil prepared in furrows and spots (spot mounding); planting of bare-rooted seedlings, bare rooted-seedlings with an improved root system and containerized seedlings (pine, spruce, black alder). 8 h
Day 5. Visits an afforestation site of agricultural land, where the growth success of different tree species (common aspen, hybrid aspen, different willow varieties, silver birch, poplars) in a specific situation is compared and evaluated, risks of afforestation assessed and most suitable model for afforestation of such areas selected. Model includes need for soil preparation, selection of afforestation species and plant type, agro-technical works (tending schedule), protection of young stands.
Heather – recultivation of a peat bog has been carried out, where a research object of LVMI Silava scientists has been installed. In the site impact of different types of fertilizers (mineral fertilizers, wood ash, sludge) on tree growth in such an environment is demonstrated. 8 h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Visit of all sites and completion and defence of diary of the practice

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Completion of individual diary of the practice, including information and conclusions about all visited sites

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The practice is assessed as pass / fail. To pass, the requirements for obtaining credit points needs to be fulfilled

Compulsory reading

Vienvecuma egļu meži Latvijā (J. Jansona red.)
Mangalis I. Meža atjaunošana un ieaudzēšana. Salaspilī: LVMI Silava: “Saule”, 2019. 202 lpp., ISBN 978-9984-14-853-3
Zālītis P. Mežkopības priekšnosacījumi. Rīga: LVMI "Silava": Et cetera, 2006. 220 lpp.
Zālītis P., Jansons J. Mērķtiecīgi izveidoto kokaudžu struktūra. Salaspils : Latvijas Valsts Mežzinātnes institūts "Silava", 2009. 80 lpp. 4. Ošlejs J. Ceļvedis Latvijas privāto mežu īpašniekiem. Rīga: Et cetera, 2005. 213 lpp.

Further reading

A/S LVM pasūtīto zinātnisko pētījumu atskaites (no 2004. gada), Lejuplādējamas: http://www.lvm.lv/lat/lvm/zinatniskie_petijumi/ 3. LR Zemkopības ministrijas pasūtīto zinātnisko pētījumu atskaites (no 2004. gada), Lejuplādējamas: http://www.zm.gov.lv/?sadala=252

Periodicals and other sources

Baltic Forestry ISSN 1392-1355
New Forests ISSN: 0169-4286

Notes

There is no prerequisite knowledge required for this course