310064 Thematic Course: Ecology and Management of Forests and other Semi-natural Terrestrial Ecosystems

Details
Forest & Landscape
Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits15 (ECTS)
Course LevelMSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

oral examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: Oral examination including two components, one question in the examination requirements and one presentation of one of the students´ project report. The presentation includes examination of the report as well.

Weight: The question in the examination requirements counts 50% and the presentation and examination of the project report counts 50%



7-point scale, external examiner
 
Requirement For Attending Exam3 out of 4 project reports must be accepted
 
Organisation of TeachingThe teaching includes lectures, exercises and about 2 weeks excursions. Reports are partly based on excursions.
 
Block PlacementBlock 1
Week Structure: B

Block 1
Week Structure: C
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
No Credit Points Withnone
 
Optional PrerequisitesRelevant bachelor degree, e.g. in Natural resources, Forest and Landscape Engineer, Biology or Geography.
 
Restrictionsnone
 
Course Contents
Through lessons and case studies of relevant ecosystems (e.g. forests, heath lands, dunes, tidal meadows and bogs) system and restoration ecological aspects will be thoroughly read:
System ecology: The ecosystem concept; succession and disturbances; biogeochemical cycling of nutrients; the hydrological cycle; undisturbed soils; carbon sequestration and turn over of organic material; biodiversity; wild life ecology;
Restoration ecology: Management effects on nutrients and water; grazing ecology and game management; cultural/historical ecology; nature-based management of forests and other semi-natural ecosystems, habitat conservation and protection.


 
Teaching And Learning Methods
The thematic course includes lessons and interactive class room discussions, theoretical and practical exercises, and excursions. Based on the exercises and excursions mandatory reports are written. One week-long excursion goes abroad.
 
Learning Outcome
The aim is to give the student an in-depth understanding of the ecology of forest and other semi-natural terrestrial ecosystems and specific tools for use in management of such systems in relation to specific management goals. Temperate ecosystems will be in focus but the principles will be general and relevant for other biomes.

After completing this course the student should be able to:

1) Knowledge:
. Understand fundamental system ecology of forest and relevant natural and semi natural ecosystems. Focus will be on functionality, structure, biogeochemistry, biodiversity, hydrology, succession, disturbances and interactions between ecosystems
. Understand ecosystem processes and how they can be influenced by management
. Understand principles for ecosystem restoration

2) Skills:
. Analyse concrete ecosystems - structures and processes
. Apply methods for ecosystem management

3) Competences:
. Define potentials for developments of forests and other semi-natural terrestrial ecosystems according to different management goals
. Develop and evaluate methods and plans for management
. Describe principles and select tools to apply such plans
. Cooperate effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural groups within a common project-work.
 
Course Litterature
Larsen, J.B. Nature-based forest management (notes)
Kimmins, J.P. Forest Ecology
Van Andel, J. and Aronson, J. (eds) Restoration Ecology
A number of relevant scientific papers.
 
Course Coordinator
Jørgen Bo Larsen, jbl@life.ku.dk, Forest & Landscape Denmark/Forestry and wood products, Phone: 35331688
Karsten Raulund-Rasmussen, krr@life.ku.dk, Forest & Landscape Denmark/Applied ecology, Phone: 35331666
 
Attendance Fee
Direct costs for excursions
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
lectures80
theoretical exercises20
practicals10
preparation72
examination5
Colloquia40
Excursions110
project work65
supervision10

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