NIFK13008U Sustainable Forest and Nature Management

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSC Progamme in Sustainable Forest and Nature Management (SUFONAMA)
Content
Joint Summer Module.

The main aim of this field-trip based course is to visit and critically discuss issues on sustainable forest and nature management. The Joint Summer Module is developed and implemented jointly gathering students and teaching staff from all of the SUFONAMA consortium universities (University of Copenhagen, Swedish Agricultural University, University of Padova, Georg-August University Göttingen, and Bangor University). Overall theme, responsible institution, and location will change between years, but will be announced at the homepage www.sufonama.eu). The studies will cover the following aspects of the study region: geology, landscape and ecology, climate, pedology, vegetation types, biodiversity, demographics, socio-economics, tourism, policy, etc. Students will prepare a critical review report (between 2300 and 2500 words) which should critically compare and contrast the approaches used by the organizations visited during the course. Similarly, the report should organize and critically discuss the academic topics covered during the field trip. Students should identify the main management objectives, constraints affecting the achievement of objectives, and critically evaluate the effectiveness of management/approaches used in achieving the objectives. Students will individually present and defend their report and their findings during the last days of the field trip (see description above).
Learning Outcome
The aim is to give the student an in-depth understanding of sustainable forest and nature management in a European context.

Knowledge:

  • Describe the structure, development and variation of ecosystems as well as understand the causes and effects in a scientific perspective
  • Identify possibilities/​limitations and the ecological tolerance in relation to people’s utilisation of forests and nature
  • Understand interactions between physical and biological environments of forests and nature areas
  • Explain the principles of sustainable utilisation, protection and stewardship of forests and other semi-natural areas
  • Summarise economic and policy theory and demonstrate general knowledge of the planning tools utilised in the economic management of forests and nature

Skills:

  • Develop, quantify and apply theoretical and practical models for the productive functions of forests and natural resources – material as well as immaterial
  • Apply economic theory and utilise planning tools to analyse and model the welfare and business economic value production of forests and natural resources
  • Assess the possibilities and limitations of theories and methodologies
  • Tackle problems by collecting, analysing and evaluating appropriate qualitative and quantitative information and using it creatively

 Competences:

  • Turn demands on our natural surroundings into concrete actions and projects based on a natural science foundation
  • Transfer theories and principles to new situations and assume independent and professional responsibility
  • Manage operations and development tasks in the framework set out by society (legislation, regulations, realities)
  • Display the competence, key skills ,behaviour and attitutes required in a professional working life
  • Transfer problem analysis, theories, impirical data collection and analysis into field based reports to meet the objectives of multitudinous stakeholders
  • Collaborate constructively with others in interdisciplinary and intercultural contexts
  • Independently evaluate and structure own learning processes and assume responsibility for own professional development with a view to life-long learning 
The course: Location Specific Knowledge and Fieldwork in Temperate Forest and Nature Management
Students will apply concepts on sustainable forest and nature management. This will be acquired during theoretical lectures in Year 1 of the SUFONAMA EMMC as well as the compulsory course “Location Specific Knowledge and Fieldwork in Temperate Forest and Nature Management”. Field exercises will demonstrate the applicability of the central concepts. During the field trip students will collect data, use laboratory facilities, software and modelling to address thematic problems in sustainable forest and nature management. The course includes excursions, lessons and interactive class room discussions, and theoretical and practical exercises during the field trip.
Each participant can expect expenses of approximately 1000 EUROs
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 10
  • Excursions
  • 56
  • Lectures
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 40
  • Project work
  • 90
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination
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Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner
Exam period
during the summer school
Re-exam
If 10 or fewer register for the reexamination the examination form will be oral.
Criteria for exam assesment
see learning outcome for criterias. Fullfilment of these will give the grade 12