Practical Silviculture II

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for laboratory classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation06.04.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Forest Management

Course developer

Jurģis Jansons

Dr. silv.

Prior knowledge

Biol1012, Forest Botany

Biol2002, Dendrology

LauZ2021, Forest Soil Science

MežZ1008, Introduction to Forestry

MežZ2011, Forest Science

MežZ3069, Practical Silviculture I

Course abstract

The study course provides information on the planning processes of forestry activities and the analysis of the practice of their application and information that provides forest managers with knowledge for forecasting and evaluating the consequences of their actions.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge of the requirements of forest management regulations, forestry planning processes implemented in state forests and information systems and geospatial solutions supporting them, as well as forest management and timber supply chain certification - laboratory works.
Skills to apply forest management regulations and green certification requirements in forest management planning – written test.
Competence to forecast the impact of each forestry measure on the further development of the forest stand in the context of achieving the strategic goal of forestry - written test.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Division of Latvian forests according to the form of ownership and the purpose of management. Categories of forest lands. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
2. Forest management in nature protection, recreation and economic territories. Ecoforests and their management. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
3. PEFC and FSC forest certification systems. FSC forest management and timber supply chain certificates. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
4. Estimate of tree felling in state forests and principles of its determination. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
5. Forest management planning process of JSC "Latvian State Forests". Strategic planning. Tactical planning. 2h lectures. 1h laboratory work.
6. Planning-modelling tools used in Latvian state forests Forest expert, SiLVMo, Remsoft Solution Suite. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
7. Modelling of stand growth course and cultivation regimes. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
8. Test 1. 1h laboratory work.
9. Forestries and forest districts of JSC “Latvian State Forests”. Planning units. Seven-year cycle. Cutting volume in the planning unit. 2h lectures. 1h laboratory work.
10. Planning of potential felling sites. Spatial arrangement of wood- and felling volumes. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
11. Planner's work in JSC "Latvian State Forests". Surveying and preparation for felling. Preparation of felling sketch. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
12. Updating of forest management information in the database. It's connection with the database State Forest Register. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
13. Geospatial information system GEO, its applications, reports and modules. Forest maps and forest infrastructure. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
14. Planning of felling in a forest stand. Technological preparation of felling areas. Duties of the head of the forest felling district. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
15. State Forest Service. Control and supervision of forestry activities in public and private forests. 1h lecture. 1h laboratory work.
16. Test 2. 1h laboratory work.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Successfully passed two theoretical tests and laboratory works; attendance - at least 75% of the total number of classes. In the written exam students must successfully answer 3 theoretical questions and solve a numerical task. It is possible to obtain an automatic assessment of knowledge if the mark obtained in all criteria before the exam session is 8 (very good) or higher.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

In addition to the content of the study course to be acquired in contact hours - lectures and laboratory works, students also acquire the issues included in the content of the study course program independently - in the form of literature studies. Independent work performance control takes place at the beginning of each new lesson, students provide answers to the questions defined in the study course for self-control.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the study course depends on the assessment of two theoretical tests and laboratory works and their cumulative assessment.

A student can obtain a successful grade for a test if at least 50% of the test questions (including the numerical task) have been answered correctly and completely.
The test mark is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the marks of two written theoretical tests. All laboratory works must be positively assessed.

Compulsory reading

1. Jaunākie meža nozares likumdošanas akti to pieņemšanas kārtībā (www.likumi.lv).
2. Hārvestera un forvardera operatora rokasgrāmata. Autoru kolektīvs. Rīga: A/S "Latvijas valsts meži", 2007. 78 lpp.
3. Kopšanas ciršu rokasgrāmata. Autoru kolektīvs. Rīga: A/S "Latvijas valsts meži", 2012. 108 lpp.
4. Zālītis P., Jansons J. Mērķtiecīgi izveidoto kokaudžu struktūra. Salaspils: Latvijas Valsts mežzinātnes institūts "Silava", 2009. 82 lpp. 5. 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.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Rakstu krājums "Mežzinātne", ISSN 1407-4427.
2. Rakstu krājums "Baltic Forestry", ISSN 1392-1355.
3. Rakstu krājums "Baltijas Koks", ISSN 1407-6667.

Notes

Study course in the 6th semester of the higher academic education bachelor study program "Forest Science".

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