Study Guide

Objectives

The aim of the course is to acquaint the student with various forest management methods and their application, as well as the advantages and challenges of the methods.

After completing the course, the student:
• is aware of the various goals of forest owners and the significance of ecological, economic, and social sustainability as guiding factors in forestry decisions
• knows the principles and methods of even-aged and uneven-aged stand management and can propose alternative silvicultural measures for a stand or forest area
• understands the principles, benefits, and challenges of mixed forests
• is familiar with the regulations of the Forest Act and forestry recommendations and can take them into account in the planning and implementation of actions
• can plan and implement forest management measures and evaluate the success of the implemented measures
• knows the factors and processes that affect the growth and development of forests and regeneration ecology and can apply this knowledge when making forest management solutions
• is aware of the effects of climate change on forest growth
• knows the factors affecting the regeneration maturity of the forests and knows how to determine the regeneration maturity of the forest in the field
• knows the principles of forest breeding and the methods of seed and seedling production
• knows the main causes of forest damage and the means to prevent or combat the damage agents

Content

Objective-oriented forest management
Principles and methods of even-aged and uneven-aged stand management and their historical background
Concept of rotation period
Planning and quality assessment of common measures (young stand management, thinning, forest fertilization, selection and small-gap cuttings, natural regeneration cuttings, measures related to forest cultivation)
Forest tree breeding and seed and seedling production
Climate change and its effects on forest cultivation and tree species selection
Key pests and diseases of economic forests, their prevention and control
Forest Act and forestry recommendations

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student is generally familiar with the main forestry methods but can only choose a suitable management or regeneration method for a practical case in very clear situations or with assistance. The justifications for choices are insufficient. The student's knowledge of forest damages, prevention, and control is incomplete. The student has only a superficial understanding of the content of the Forest Act and forestry recommendations.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student is acquainted with various forestry methods and can, in most cases, choose one or more alternative management or regeneration methods for a site. The student can clearly justify his/her choices based on the characteristics of the site. The student is aware of the most common forest pests and diseases, as well as the methods to prevent or control them. The student understands how the Forest Act limits the management of forests and is familiar with the key contents of forestry recommendations.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has comprehensive knowledge of various forestry methods and can choose a suitable management or regeneration method even in challenging cases. He/she can also apply different methods even inside one stand. The student has extensive knowledge of various forest pests, their prevention, and control. He/she can identify common forest pests in the field and consider pest or disease occurrence when preparing a forest management proposal. The student is very well-informed about the requirements of the Forest Act and the content of forestry recommendations.