Silviculture - the Science of Forest Stand Management

About this programme

Silviculture applies forest ecology to manage forest stands with the aim to provide society with wood raw materials and other ecosystem goods and services. In this course, you will study how a range of silvicultural practices, including management of stand structure, composition, density, rotation length and site fertility affect forest development and ecosystem services (with emphasis on wood, carbon and water). After the course, you will be able to evaluate the scientific basis for current and emerging silvicultural practices such as continuous cover forestry, carbon forestry and mixed species forests. We place particular emphasis on learning the skills and tools needed for analysing forest stand management for sustainable provision of desired goods and services under different conditions, including changing climate and management objectives. Thus, the course will give you a sound foundation for decision-making and implementation. The course primarily focuses on boreal and temperate forests, but we will also use examples from tropical forests to discuss differences between forest types, site conditions, and consequences of climate change. We target students interested in careers in the forest industry, public sector, and research in forest science, forest ecology or soil science. Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits, of which 60 credits in one of the following subjects/fields of study: - Forestry science - Forest science - Forest management Alternatively 15 credits in forestry science or forest science or forest management and 60 credits in one of the following subjects/f