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Risk Management in Forestry

Course developers

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to provide knowledge about the classification of forest stand management risk factors (abiotic, biotic and anthropogenic); methodology of forest stand health assessment and management of various risk factors for management, so that master students obtain basic information on the possibilities of improving forest stand parameters with selection methods, latest results and development perspectives, as well as climate change forecasts for Latvia, their expected negative impact on forest stands and adaptation opportunities, emphasizing also the role of genetic the factor.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge, skills and competence are assessed on a 10-point scale. Oral and written answers are successful if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly. The final assessment consists of the cumulative assessment of the study course written test, laboratory, practical work (reports and presentation) and activity in seminars.

Course Content(Calendar)

Lectures (28 hours)
1. Global Climate Change: Reports of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). International and Latvia’s adaptation strategies and approaches in the field of forests and forestry (4 h).
2. Risk - losses, aspects, management. Classification of risk factors for forest stand management. Identification of forest stand management risk factors, their impact on forest stand management (3 h).
3. Accounting and evaluation of damage to forest stand risk factors. Characteristics of risk factors (3 h).
4. The most significant risk in forestry, attitude to risk, risk management (4 h).
5. Probability of storms, changes of their effect and possibilities to increase the resistance and resilience of forest stands (4 h).
6. Forest fires - origin, impact survival, regeneration, growth of trees and other components of forest ecosystem (3 h).
7. Influence of climatic conditions on tree growth: dendroclimatology (3 h).
8. Natural migration and introduction of tree species. Climate envelop models (3 h).
9. Written test "Risk management in forestry" (1 h).
10. Evaluation of logging conditions and technologies (4h).
Laboratory works (8 h) (group work)
1.Entomological damage samples of different tree species are given (more methodical instructions are available in e-studies) (4 h) - for each group, identify the type of damage to the risk factor and its impact on the target tree species in different forest types, as well as risk mitigation options (discussions in the auditorium ~ 15 min./incl. with a mark).

2. Doti different tree species phytopathological damages samples (broader methodological instructions available e-learning) (4 h) - each group, recognize and describe types of damage and their effects on the target species in different forest types, as well as risk mitigation options (discussions auditorium ~ 15 min./incl. with a mark).

Practical works and seminars (20 h)
Practical work in groups (3-4). Each working group prepares a report and presentation on the risk factors occurring in 4 forest areas, the incidence and intensity of their damaged trees. Provides insight into risk factor management in specific forest stands (~ 20 min. And discussion ~ 5 min.) (6 h).
Practical work in groups (3-4). Each working group prepares a report and presentation on two forest areas, in which the most suitable logging technology is evaluated. An assessment of logging risks is performed in one forest areas and technological corridors are marked in accordance with the obtained results, as well as the necessary documentation for the performance of logging works is prepared. (4h)

Seminar on scientific sample plots of Jelgava forest district. Tree survey, damage assessment in points and health assessment using assessment criteria, decision-making on the health condition of the forest stand and further measures in ecosystem management (7 h).

Seminar – Modeling and practical evaluation of storm damage (7 h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

The number of missed classes in the study course may not exceed 10% of the number of all scheduled classes.
A master's student may choose to write a test or participate in the annual international conference "Students on their Way to Science" http://sws.llu.lv/ with an oral paper (or other international conference). Theme – "Risk management in forestry", submitting a summary, presentation and confirmation of participation in the conference by submitting a confirmation in e-studies.
Laboratory works must be successfully passed. Actively need to get involved seminars.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Internet indicated in the study program and presentations. Presentation (7-10 min.) and analysis of the scientific study in foreign language based on provided key words. Student understands the kay message of the study and can explain it to the pairs. Understands the topicality of the study in context of forestry of Latvia. Each group should prepare a presentation (~ 15 min.) On the health status of 4. forest stands. Have to prepare for the test independently.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Knowledge, skills and competence are assessed on a 10-point scale. Oral and written answers are successful if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly. The final assessment consists of a cumulative assessment of the study course written test, laboratory and practical work (reports and presentation) and activity in seminars.

Compulsory reading

1. Ferrière R., Dieckmann U., Couvet D. Evolutionary Conservation Biology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. 415 s p. [skatīts 16.06.2021.] Pieejams:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=164257&site=ehost-live&scope=site
eBook Collection (EBSCO)
2. 2013. Living With Storm Damage to Forests: What Science Can Tell Us 3. B. Gardiner, A. Schuck, M.-J. Schelhaas, C. Orazio, K. Blennow, B. Nicoll (Eds.) [tiešsaiste] European Forest Institute. [skatīts 16.06.2021.] Pieejams: https://efi.int/sites/default/files/files/publication-bank/2018/efi_wsctu3_2013.pdf
3. Mežsaimniecības risku vadības sistēmas programmas prototipa izstrāde. O.Miezīte, I.Šmits, A. Dreimanis u.c. 2013. [Skatīts 21.10.2016.]. Pieejams: http://maplas.mf.llu.lv/programs/ERAF_Projekta_atskaite_1.3.pdf.
4. Riski lauksaimniecībā un privātajā mežsaimniecībā. Monogrāfija. LLU, RTU, DITF. Sast. K. Špoģis. Jelgava: LLU, 2005. 657 lpp.
5. Seppälä R., Buck A., Katila P. Adaptation of Forests and People to Climate Change: A Global Assessment Report. [tiešsaiste] Tampere: Esa-Print Oy, 2009. 224 s. p. [skatīts 16.06.2021.] Pieejams: http://www.fao.org/forestry/17675-022721682d6ef9e51076d5dc46577a9c9.pdf

Further 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.
2. Koskela J., Buck A., Teissier E. Climate Change and Forest Genetic Diversity: Implications for Sustainable Forest Management in Europe. [tiešsaiste] Rome: Euforgen, 2007. 211 s. p. [skatīts 16.06.2021.] Pieejams:
https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/104923/Climate_change_and_forest_genetic_diversity_1216.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y
3. Miezīte O. Meža aizsardzība un apsardzība. 1. daļa: Meža entomoloģija. Mācību līdzeklis LLU Meža fakultātes studentiem un nozares speciālistiem, A/S LVM. Jelgava: LLU Meža fakultāte, Studentu biedrība "Šalkone",. 2015. 163 lpp.
4. Miezīte O. Meža aizsardzība. 2. Daļa: Meža fitopatoloģija. Mācību līdzeklis LLU Meža fakultātes studentiem un nozares speciālistiem. A/S LVM., Jelgava: LLU Meža fakultāte, Studentu biedrība "Šalkone"., 2017. 173 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Global Change Biology. ISSN 1365-2486
2. Trees. ISSN 0931 -1890
3. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. ISSN 0045-5067
4. Baltic Forestry. ISSN 1392-1355

Notes

The study course is included in the specialty study course section of the Master of Forestry science study program and academic higher education master's study programme "Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing"full time studies.