250002 Agroforestry

Details
Forest & Landscape
Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
Course LevelMSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination

Portfolio Examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: Students will be provided two written assignments to be completed during the course. Assignments will be distributed electronically and must be submitted electronically

Weight: Each assignment will count 50% towards the final marks



13-point scale, internal examiner
 
Requirement For Attending ExamStudents must successfully complete at least 75% of e-modules in order to participate in the exam.
 
Organisation of TeachingTeaching is primarely based on distance learning (e-learning) but regular class room sessions will be offered. The agenda for these sessions will be decided by the participants and the teacher using web-based communication.
 
Block PlacementBlock 2
Week Structure: A
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
Optional PrerequisitesIt is recommended that the student possesses a basic understanding of natural resources management
 
Areas of Competence the Course Will Address
Basic Science: Knowledge on the possibilities for designing systems composed of trees, crops and/or domestic animals, and the benefits thus obtained in production of goods and services.
Understanding of the synergetic and competitive relationships that arise in systems of different species composition.
Knowledge on the interplay between climate, soil and species characteristic of different systems.

Applied Science: Understanding of how to analyse the possibilities for using different systems composed of different species aiming at conclude on the choice of systems for various geographic regions.
Knowledge on the kind and size of yields, which can be obtained in different systems, and the related production costs.
Insight in the methodology to be used in development of systems for local use.

Ethics & Values: Knowledge on how social/cultural aspects influence the adoptability of systems.
Understanding of principles on rural development and poverty alleviation.
 
Course Objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the Agroforestry concept and enhance their understanding of the potential by using Agroforestry for rural development in the tropical environment. The course, thus, targets a description of various Agroforestry systems with their strengths and weaknesses, their use in different agroecological regions and in various social contexts, and their special features concerning productivity, sustainability and adoptability.













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Course Contents
Agroforestry definition and history

Classification of Agroforestry systems

Agroforestry species, the MPT concept, criteria for species selection

Biophysical factors, agroecological zones, climate, soil and water

Socioeconomic factors, infrastructure, tenure, gender. knowledge, tradition

Productivity in Agroforestry systems, yield in crops and trees, subsistance economy and marketability

Interactions in Agroforestry systems, synergy and competition among species, interplay between species and soil, choice of species for various purposes, land protection and soil improvement

The future of Agroforestry, research on design, adoptability, sustainability, productivity, land use for poverty alleviation
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
E-learning forms the learning basis in the course. In a number of internet-based teaching modules literature studies and exercises are integrated. The exercises are composed of theoretical multiple choice exercises and case based free text exercises. In addition a number of class room sessions will be offered, during which selected cases and substantial professional problems can be analysed and discussed.
 
Course Litterature
Instructions on literature form part of the e-learning modules
 
Course Coordinator
Lars Schmidt, lsc@life.ku.dk, Danish Centre for Forest, Landscape and Planning/Arboretum, Phone: 35331838
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
theoretical exercises25
preparation80
project work85
supervision16

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