NIGK18000U Biodiversity in Managed Forests

Volume 2018/2019
Education

MSc Programme in Forest and Nature Management
MSc Programme in Nature Management
 

Content

Now and in the future there will be an increasing focus on forest production and possible interplay with biodiversity. The course will present knowledge on how different forest management practices and intensities influence biodiversity. The course will present methods on how to assess and evaluate impact of forest management actions on flora and fauna diversity and discuss possible trade-offs between forest wood production and biodiversity. The course will touch key issues of legislation, certification schemes and subsidies.

The course will focus on the relationship between biodiversity and forest management in temperate forests and address the following themes:

  • Forest history

  • Forest structure, composition, and dynamics, tree species diversity

  • Variation in abiotic factors (nutrients, light, pH, moisture/water)

  • Micro habitats, key-habitats for flora and fauna (dead wood, veteran trees, forest edges, wet areas)

  • Natural processes (unmanaged forests, succession, shortcuts in succession, disturbances (storms, fire, pest and disease outbreaks))

  • Silvicultural systems (soil preparation, regeneration and stand establishment, timing and intensity of harvest, harvest strategy, intensity of management)

  • Forest grazing – domestic and wild life

  • Forest landscapes

  • Measures to support specific groups of organisms

  • Afforestation – what to consider with respect to biodiversity

  • Trade-offs between biodiversity and ecosystem services

  • Public reach out

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

By the end of the course,

  • You will have knowledge on different forest management practices and their impact on biodiversity

  • You will have knowledge on different management means to enhance biodiversity

  • You will have knowledge on how forest structure, composition and dynamics and associated abiotic and biotic factors influence different species groups and thus biodiversity and ecosystem functions

  • You will have knowledge on common field and laboratory methods for measuring key elements and species diversity in forest ecosystems

Skills:

  • You can analyze, evaluate and discuss measures to enhance biodiversity in managed forests

  • You will be able to read and interpret literature on biodiversity and forest management

  • You will be able to assess biodiversity

  • You will have an overview of forest management regimes and their impact on biodiversity

  • You can identify key habitats for flora and fauna with regard to forest structure, composition and dynamics and associated abiotic and biotic factors influencing biodiversity in forests

  • You have an overview of the abiotic environment and how it affects species and is influenced by forest management

  • You will be able to use different database resources to assess the potential for biodiversity in a forest

Competences:

  • You will be able to read and critically discuss scientific literature

  • You can use evidence based knowledge in writing and presentations of aspects of biodiversity in managed forests

  • You can transform the theoretical knowledge to suggested actions to enhance biodiversity in managed forests

Literature

Please see Absalon

Introductory courses in ecology and biodiversity are recommended.
The course will be a mix of lectures, practical and theoretical exercises, seminars/colloquia on essential papers, excursions and discussions. Further, you will write an essay on a selected topic included in the course and produce management guidelines, which will be presented as a poster on a final seminar. Several invited guest lecturers will give first hand presentations from their field of work.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 14
  • Excursions
  • 18
  • Guidance
  • 24
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Practical exercises
  • 21
  • Practical exercises
  • 14
  • Preparation
  • 52
  • Project work
  • 35
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 25
Written assignment, During course
Students hand in one essay of approx. 15 pages (group) and one forest management guidelines (group) during the course. The course is concluded with a 25 min oral examination. The essay is prepared during the course and will be delivered to the course responsible at least one week before the final exam.

Description of Examination: The individual oral exam consists of a short presentation of the essay (5-7 min) followed by questions on the essay topic (5-7 min). In addition the student will draw a question in relation to lectures and exercises, present and discuss this (10 min). Passing the course requires, that the combined weighted grade is 02 or above. The oral examination is without preparation time.

Assessment: 33 % forest management guidelines and presentation. The essay, the individual oral presentation of the essay and the oral examination on a drawn topic will contribute 67 % to the final grade.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Oral examination (25 minutes), without preparation. as described above for the exam. Forest management guidelines and essay produced during the course are still valid and should be handed in at the latest 14 days before the oral examination.  

Criteria for exam assesment

See learning outcome