Forest Utilisation

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures18

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes14

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation09.03.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Forest Management

Course developer

Mežsaimniecības institūts

Lelde Vilkriste

Dr. silv.

Course abstract

The study course provides knowledge about forest and non-wood forest products, their utilization and environmental and social importance and role in the Latvian economy. Students are introduced to the aspects of efficient land use, regulatory and environmental protection requirements, as well as the relationship between the circular economy and bioeconomy and the forest sector. In practical works, examples of forest use in nature are observed and skills to collect and analyze information on aspects of forest use are acquired.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completing the course students:
• know various possibilities of forest utilization, conditions influencing the use of wood and non-wood resources and their importance in the national economy (tests 1 and 2; independent work);
• are able to analyze and evaluate information on the harvesting of forest resources and the conditions for sustainable forest use planning (tests 1 and 2; independent work; participation in discussions);
• are able to evaluate the principles of sustainable management of wood and non-wood forest resources and their future uses in the growth of the national economy (independent work; report of practical work (visit to forest sites); participation in discussions).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction to the course and literature. Forest resources in Latvia - 1h.
2. Types and classification of forest resources in Latvia and in the world - 1h.
3. Forest resources in numbers, assessment and evaluation methods - 1h.
4. Efficient use of land and forest resources - 1h.
5. Regulatory requirements and environmental restrictions - 1h.
6. Basic principles of sustainable forest utilization - 1h.
Practical work (on topics 1 – 6) – 2h.
Independent work – 16h.
Test 1 - Forest resources and their use and planning of utilization.

7. Wood resources and their use in the national economy - 1h.
8. Logging residues and possibilities of their use - 1h.
9. Forest resources and energy sector (charcoal production; firewood; infrastructure growth; energy wood plantations) - 1h.
10. Chemical processing of wood resources - 1h.
11. Forest resources for food, medicine, cosmetics and aesthetics - 1h.
12. Forest and recreation - 1h.
13. Game management – 1h.
14. Other non-timber forest products and forest ecosystem services - 1h.
Practical work (on topics 7 – 14) – 2h.
Independent work – 12h
Test 2 – Utilisation of forest resources

15. Use of forest resources - and sectors of the economy - 1h.
16. Circular economics and bioeconomics - 1h.
17. Sustainable aspects of forest use - forest policy and economic development - 2h.
Independent work – 20h
Practical work (on topics 15 – 17) – 2h.
Practical work* – 8h (field visit to forest; topics 1 - 17).
Report of practical work (field visit in forest).
*forest visit (8h) must be planned in one day

Requirements for awarding credit points

Two tests and the report of practical work must be written in time and successfully, all independent works must be completed and passed, as well as active participation in discussions are required to get the credit for the course.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent works mean elaborating and completing the practical work or tasks started in the auditorium, preparing the assigned homework, getting acquainted with a more detailed presentation of the issues covered in the lectures and preparing presentations or materials for discussions. All works must be developed and submitted within the specified deadlines, in accordance with the instructions given in lectures and practical classes.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Assessment of knowledge and skills takes place on a 10-point scale. The cumulative assessment consists of the study course tests, assessment of practical work and assessment of activities during the classes (1st test - 30%; 2nd test - 30%; practical work - 30% and other activities - 10% of the total assessment). 10% makes up 1 point of the evaluation.

Delayed and non-credited tests and practical work must be developed in accordance with the procedures specified by the lecturer and at the time of admission not later than two weeks after the delay (if there are justifying documents for a long delay - within two weeks from the resumption of studies). One opportunity for oral answer or rewriting of unsuccessful tests is given at the time indicated by the lecturer.

Compulsory reading

1.Kas jāzina meža īpašniekam [tiešsaiste]. LVMI Silava, 2017. [Skatīts 22.02.2021.]. Pieejams: http://www.silava.lv/23/section.aspx/View/180
2. Koksne šodien un nākotnē. E. Bukšāns, K. Būmanis, A. Domkins, A. Dekšnis, P.Beķeris. Jelgava, 2019. 138 lpp.
3.Meža biomasa – jauni produkti un tehnoloģijas. Pētījuma atskaite [tiešsaiste]. RTU & VASSI. 2016. 212 lpp. [Skatīts 22.02.2021.]. Pieejams: https://www.lvm.lv/petijumi-un-publikacijas/petijums-meza-biomasa-jauni-produkti-un-tehnologijas
4. Meža enciklopēdija. Autoru kolektīvs J. Broka vadībā. 2. sēj. Rīga: Zelta Grauds, 2003-2015.
5. Mežsaimniecības ietekme uz meža un saistīto ekosistēmu pakalpojumiem. Projekta pārskats [tiešsaiste]. LVMI “Silava”. 2017. 296 lpp. [Skatīts 22.02.2021.]. Pieejams: https://www.lvm.lv/petijumi-un-publikacijas/mezsaimniecibas-ietekme-uz-meza-un-saistito-ekosistemu-pakalpojumiem-2017
6. Pearse P.H. Introduction to Forestry Economics. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 1990. 226 p. .
7. Saliņš Z. Meža izmantošana Latvijā - vēsture, stāvoklis, perspektīvas. Jelgava: LLU Meža izmantošanas katedra, 1999. 270 lpp.
8. Saliņš Z. Mežs - Latvijas nacionālā bagātība. Jelgava: Autora izd., 2002. 248 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. ANO LPO informācija par meža izmantošanu. Pieejams:
http://www.fao.org/forestry/nwfp/6388/en/
2. Baltijas Koks. ISSN 1407-6667.
3. EVA informācija par meža izmantošanu. Pieejams: https://www.eea.europa.eu/
4. Likumi un normatīvie akti par meža izmantošanu. Pieejams: www.likumi.lv
5. Meža Avīze. ISSN 1407-6187.
6. Pan-Eiropas projekts par ilgtspējīgu meža izmantošanu. Pieejams: https://star-tree.eu/
7. Pētījumu un zinātnisko projektu atskaites par meža resursiem un to izmantošanu. Pieejams: www.silava.lv

Notes

Bachelor study program “Economics” - specialization “Agrarian and Environmental Economics” (course 4; semester 7).

Atsauksmes