056422 Adaptive Physiology and Tree Management

Details
Forest & Landscape
Earliest Possible Year
Duration1 semester
 
Credits6 (ECTS)
Course LevelJoint BSc and MSc
Joint BSc and MSc
 
Examinationoral examination


No aid allowed

Description of Examination: 13-point scale, internal examiner

Dates of Exam:
 
Organisation of TeachingLectures: 1 course module per week Practicals: 2 hours weekly
 
Block PlacementF2, spring
To be agreed upon

 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
may be conducted in Danish
 
Optional PrerequisitesSome basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology of trees and of soil science is beneficial but not necessary
 
Course Objectives
To gain a basic understanding of selected ecological and ecophysiological mechanisms (plant/environment interaction) of particular importance for the practical use of plants and trees in forestry, arboriculture and landscape gardening. The course will be founded on practical tasks like plant production, establishment and maintenance of trees and stands. The course aims at an improved understanding of plant ecological mechanisms, which interacts with the practical tasks.
 
Course Contents
Management courses at KVL (e.g. Skovdyrkning, Planteanvendelse og Anlægsgartneri) do not provide a profound biological understanding of the relevant interactions between plant and environment. The latter is the main objective of this course. Focus is on plant properties and plant ecology of particular importance for production and establishment of different plant types (bareroots, containerplants of different sizes) as well as for the long term development in terms of growth, physical and physiological stability. These subjects are discussed for different environments (more or less open stands, solitary trees, contrasting climate and soil conditions). The genetic variation in some physiological parameters related to plant functionality will also be presented. The following topics will be dealt with: Phenology and dormancy, adaptive traits (frost, drought), growth processes of single organs of the tree related to plant functionality, biomass allocation, architecture and pruning of roots and crown, interactions with the ecosystem. The course relates to the following functional traits of trees: survival, growth rate and production, resistance, shelter, aesthetic values, ground water protection and soil development.
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
Methods are likely to be adapted during the first two years of the course. The preliminary intention is to supplement the traditional lectures and exercises with seminar-like lectures, during which teacher and students interact in the understanding of problems. Learning groups are formed, and larger themes (like "whole year phenology") are closed and summarised through the presentation of "mindmaps" from the groups.
 
Course Litterature
A collection of papers from scientific journals should be bought at the DSR book store. Refer to the course homepage (see below)
 
Course Coordinator
Christian Nørgård Nielsen, cnn@life.ku.dk, Forest & Landscape Denmark/Forestry and wood products, Phone: 35331772
 
Study Board
Study Committee FL
 
Course Scope
lectures56
theoretical exercises32
Excursions8
preparation54
examination30

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