Ecological Disturbances in Forests - Silviculture Challenges Under Climate Change

About this programme

Climate change affects forest ecosystems in profound ways by altering ecological disturbance regimes. There is an urgent need for forest management to adapt to these changes. The aim of the course is to provide a deeper understanding of disturbance regimes in forests with a focus on managed northern temperate and boreal forests. Disturbance agents covered in this course include fires, storms, snow, pathogens, insects, and herbivory. The course covers the mechanisms of these disturbances and the consequences for the ecology and management of forests under climate change. Hence, this course is directed to anyone who wants to be prepared in facing the ongoing and future challenges in forest ecology and management in times of climate change. The course largely relies on self-directed learning according to the principle of a 'flipped classroom,' where great emphasis is placed on developing the students' independence, with support from subject matter experts. The course uses a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars and Quizzes. Group work is a central part of the course where the students themselves search for, compile, summarize and evaluate relevant literature. Through this, the students actively contribute to supplementing the course's bibliography. The group work is presented in written and oral form. The final bibliography, group reports, lectures and seminars form an important basis for the final exam. 60 ECTS in biology or 30 credits in Biology and 30 credits in Forestry Science, and English 6. Exceptions are allowed from the entry requirement for basic