LV EN RU DE FR

Forest Works and Machinery

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 mechanization and technologies in forest operations, forest management and their practical application.
2. PhD students improve their ability to identify and define the most pressing problems in mechanization of forest operation and management, 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. Technological solutions in forest operations and forestry management (8 h).
2. Forest work optimization solutions – methods and the latest scientific results (8 h).
3. Parameters of wood, timber and other forest materials as technological objects, methods of their determination, impact on the technological process (8 h).
4. Influence of forest as a work environment on the structure, course and results of the technological processes (8 h).
5. Theoretical bases and technological solutions of assortment preparation, transport and measuring (8 h).
6. Theoretical bases and technological solutions of forest protection and regeneration (8 h).
7. Forest operations: theoretical interconnection of the processes, and methodological approaches of their research (8 h).
8. Methods for assessing the possibilities for increased productivity (8 h).
9. Conditions determining the development of forest operation technology, their impact (8 h).
10. Innovative solutions in technology and mechanization of forest operations, development perspectives (8 h).
11. Use of remote sensing technologies in forestry: solutions and challenges (8 h).
12. Scientific research in the field of forest operation techniques and technologies (8 h).
13. Comparison and evaluation of forest machines and forest works according to separate criteria and complexes (8 h).
14. Ergonomic indicators for comparison and evaluation of forest machines and forest works (8 h).
15. Economic indicators for comparison and evaluation of forest machines and forest works (8 h).

16. Logistics in optimization of technological processes of forestry (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. Forest Operations, Engineering and Management. R. Spinelli (ed.) 2018. 416 p. ISBN 978-3-03897-184-9. Pieejams: https://www.mdpi.com/books/pdfview/book/749
2. Weng Q. Remote Sensing for Sustainability. CRC Press, 2017. ISBN 9780367871406.
3. QGIS and Applications in Agriculture and Forest. C.Mallet, N.Baghdadi, M.Zribi. Wiley-ISTE, 2018. ISBN 978-1786301888.

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

Further reading

1. Uusitalo J. Introduction to Forest Operations and Technology. JVP Forest Systems Oy, 2010. ISBN 978-9529252695.
2. Gane M. Forest strategy: strategic management and sustainable development for the forest sector. Dordrecht: Springer, 2007. 414 p. ISBN 978-1-4020-5965-0.
3. Forestry Sciences. Springer. ISSN 0924-5480 (https://www.springer.com/series/5991).

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Forest Engineering. Pieejams: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tife19/current
2. Nature. Pieejams: https://www.nature.com/
3. European Journal of Forest Research. Pieejams: https://www.springer.com/journal/10342/
4. Baltic Forestry. Pieejams: https://www.balticforestry.mi.lt/bf/
5. Forests. Pieejams: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/forests

Notes

PhD study programme Forest Science.