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Forest Ecology and Silviculture

Course developers

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to provide a detailed information of the sub-field of science: its scientific problems, latest findings and development trends. Studies take place according to an individual plan. In communication with the scientific supervisor, consultations or lecture courses of Latvian and foreign specialists in the respective sub-field of science are organized.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1. PhD students students acquire comprehensive knowledge of the latest findings in forest ecology and its role in forestry practice.
2. PhD students improve their ability to identify and define the most pressing problems in forest ecology and forestry, as well as to analyze the specific scientific issue in the context of general rules of the functional forest ecosystem, formulating research tasks and hypotheses to find solution in effective and statistically sound manner.

3. After mastering the study course, PhD students are competent to manage the implementation of methodologically complex research projects.

Course Content(Calendar)

1.Forest ecosystem. Forest typology. Forest environment (8 h).
2.Forest science and forest education in Latvia. Perspectives and threats to forestry (8 h).
3.Possibilities and potential for increasing forest productivity (8h).
4.Forest ecosystem services (8 h).
5.Species concept. Natural distribution areas of species, their variability and role in the context of forestry and environmental protection. Invasive and introduced species (8 h).
6.Natural disturbances, their characteristics and variability, impact in the context of forestry and forest ecology. Succession of terrestrial ecosystems. (8 h).
7.Adaptation and co-adaptation. Resistance, stability, resilience (8 h).
8.Adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change (8 h).
9.Adaptation of forestry to climate change (8 h).
10.Forest biomes. Forest geography. Habitats and deposits (8 h).
11.Environmental protection - international and European Union framework (8 h).
12.Environmental protection - Latvian framework. Protection of species and habitats (16 h).
13.Ecological landscape planning (8 h).
14.Improving the condition of habitats. Approaches to the simultaneous implementation of economic and environmental objectives (8 h).

15.The role of forests in mitigating climate change. Circle of energy and substance in nature (8 h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Successfully passed the oral PhD examination, carried out by a commission consisting of at least 3 lecturers approved by the LLU in accordance with the established procedure.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Systematic studies of the theory. Participation in international PhD level courses (such as NOVA courses, doctoral schools, etc.) in forest ecology and forestry; fulfillment of requirements of these courses.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Knowledge, skills and competence are assessed on a 10-grade scale. An answer is successful (passed) if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly.

Compulsory reading

1.von Gadow K., Álvarez González J.G., Zhang C., Pukkala T., Xiuhai Z. Sustaining Forest Ecosystems. The Netherlands: Springer, 2021. ISBN 978-3-030-58713-0.
2. Jogiste K., Frelich L. E., Vodde F., Kangur A., Metslaid M., Stanturf J. A.Jogiste K. Natural Disturbance Dynamics Analysis for Forest Ecosystem Management. Forests, 11(6), 2020, 663:Special Issue. Pieejams:
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/forests/special_issues/Forest_Management_Disturbance.

3.Encyclopedia of forest sciences. Ed. J. Burley, J. Evans, J.A. Youngquist. Amsterdam etc.: Elsevier Academic Press, 2004. In 4 vol.

Further reading

1. Living with Storm Damage to Forests: What Science Can Tell Us. B.Gardiner, A.Schuck, M.-J. Schelhaas, C.Orazio, K.Blennow, N.Bruce (editors). European Forest Institute, Joensuu. 2013. ISBN: 978-952-5980-09-7. Pieejams: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264836590_Living_with_Storm_Damage_to_Forests_What_Science_Can_Tell_Us_What_Science_Can_Tell_Us
2. Perry D.A., Oren R., Hart S. Forest Ecosystems. 2nd edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0801888403.
Forest Ecosystems: management, impact assessment and conservation. E. Deborah editor. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2017. 172 p. E-grāmata datubāzē EBSCO e-book Academic Collection, pieejams LLU tīklā un ārpus tīkla ar LLU IS parorēm https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=1441611&site=ehost-live&scope=site

3. Forestry Sciences. Springer. ISSN: 0924-5480 (https://www.springer.com/series/5991).

Periodicals and other sources

1. Nature. Pieejams: https://www.nature.com/
2. European Journal of Forest Research. Pieejams: https://www.springer.com/journal/10342/
3. Baltic Forestry. Pieejams: https://www.balticforestry.mi.lt/bf/

4. Forests. Pieejams: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/forests

Notes

PhD study programme Forest Science.