42127 - Elements Of Sylviculture

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student has a basic knowledge of forest ecology and urban ecology, forest mensuration and silviculture.
More specifically, the student is able to:
- analyze a urban forest site and assess the characteristics of the urban forest stand;
- highlight technical and ecological problems;
- define management actions required for the sustainable management of the urban forest.

Course contents

Background knowledge. The student must have an adequate background knowledge in plant science, biology and plant biodiversity (with reference to forest tree species) and ecology, as coming from other courses already taken in the Degree.

Unit 1. Forest ecology (7 hrs)

1.1 Population ecology:growth dynamics
1.2 Population ecology: structure of even- and uneven-aged forests, competition and mortality
1.3 Community ecology: interactions between populations
1.4 Ecosystem ecology: water cycle, runoff and erosion in forest and urban forest ecosystems, nutrient cycles in forest ecosystems
1.5 Landscape ecology: disturbances and ecological successions
1.6 Reproductive biology in forest tree species
1.7 Ecosystem service and stability-orientated forest management.

Unit 2. Silviculture (11 hrs)

2.1 Silviculture, definition and objectives; evolution of the concept of silviculture
2.2 Forest functions: protection, recreation, environmental
2.3 Forest management Coppice methods: simple, selection, with standards, composite
2.4 High forest methods: clearcutting, shelterwood, selection methods
2.5 Thinnings: objectives and methods
2.6 Fundamentals of forest mensuration; notes on field measurements
2.7 Forest management for landscape, recreational and ecosystem purposes

Field practicals (12 hrs)

Three excursions in parks or woods

 

Readings/Bibliography

Considering the wide range of topics addressed, the course can be studied on slides and material provided by the lecturer on IOL Campus. For further reading :

Piussi P., Alberti G. 2015. Selvicoltura generale. Boschi, società e tecniche colturali. Ed. Compagnia delle Foreste, Arezzo

Teaching methods

The course is largely based on lectures, but is integrated by three field practicals in forest or park.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme

Assessment methods

The course is part of Corso Integrato 65946 – “Arboricoltura ornamentale con elementi di selvicoltura” together with 65947 – “Arboricoltura ornamentale”.
The joint exams for the entire Corso integrato take into account the knowledge and proficiency of the student in both courses. The knowledge and proficiency in the current course are assessed as follows.

The test is based on a final oral exam. The assessment is based on the understanding demonstrated by the individual student, on the discussion of field practicals and on the quality of his presentation. Each student will answer two questions, related to the two units making up the course. The exam lasts approximatively 30 minutes.

Teaching tools

Slides of all lectures are made available beforehand to the students through the IOL Campus portal.

Office hours

See the website of Enrico Muzzi