Forest Sites (8cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The aim of the course is to give the student the skills to classify different forest habitats, identify tree species and the most common forest plant species, identify soil types and understand the effect of different habitat factors on the vegetation structure and forest growth.

After completing the study unit the student:
• is able to identify forest and main mire types and soil types in the forest
• is able to identify typical indicator species (plants) when classifying forest types and mire types
• is able to identify native tree species in the forest and knows their site requirements and natural distribution area in Finland
• knows the main characteristics of Finnish climate, soil and bedrock and also factors affecting microclimate and growth period
• can visually interpret aerial images and also use a map for orienteering in the forest
• knows the principles of dividing a forest area into compartments

Content (course unit)

Identification of forest types and main mire types, forest plants, indicator species, tree species and their identification, factors affecting tree growth, the ecological requirement of different tree species, defining soil types in the field, physical properties of forest soils, soil layers in forest soils, soil formation, degradation process and soil microbes, macro and microclimate, growth period and temperature sum, interpretation of aerial images, orienteering in the forest, forming forest compartments.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The students recognize the most common tree species and basic forest types in the terrain and know the basics of the classification of ground species.
They know how to make observations of stands of an aerial photo and use a terrain map to move around in the forest.
The students know the essential site conditions affecting forest growth.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The students recognize the most common tree species and know their essential growth site requirements.
They know how to determine forest types in the terrain and use vegetation in a variety of ways to help determine forest types
The students know the basics of classifying soil types and know how to determine soil types in the field.
They know how to make observations of trees of an aerial photo and use a terrain map to move around in the forest.
The students know how site conditions affect the growth of trees.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The students recognize the most common tree species in all seasons and know their essential site requirements.
They know how to determine forest site types in the forest and use vegetation in a variety of ways to help determine forest types.
The students know the basics of classifying soil types and know how to determine soil types in the terrain. They know how to define forest types and mire types with the help of vegetation, trees and soil type.
They know how to make observations of trees from an aerial photo and how to use a terrain map to move around in the forest.
The students know how site conditions affect the growth of trees and they can use field observations and theoretical knowledge to analyze the growth conditions of trees and justify silvicultural operations.

Location and time

Ajoitus: Opintojakso toteutuu aikavälillä 28.8.- 7.10.2025 Tarkempi ohjelma näkyy Lukkarikoneessa

Paikka: TAMK ja metsäkohteet Tampereella, pääosin Kauppi-Niihaman alueella
Maasto-opetusta myös Jämijärvellä.

Exam schedules

-Maastotentti on 16.9.2025 Maastotentiin lähtöaika on klo 8.30 -12.30 Lähtöjärjestys ilmoitetaan Moodlessa.
-Opintojakson lopputentti on 9.10.2025
Uusinnat
Lopputentin 1. uusintatilaisuus 6.11.2025., 2. uusinta sovitaan erikseen.
Maastotentin uusinta sovitaan erikseen.

Assessment methods and criteria

Maastotentti 40%
Lopputentti 40%
OMAmetsä raportti 20%
Maasto-opetuksessa vaaditaan vähintään 70 % läsnäoloa.
Kurssin hyväksytty suorittaminen edellyttää tutoriaalitoimintaan osallistumista ja annettujen tehtävien suorittamista.
Erinomainen tutoriaalityöskentely sekä erinomainen parityö voivat nostaa opintojakson arvosanaa yhdellä numerolla

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Ongelmaperustainen oppiminen (PBL) sisältäen luennot, parityön, maasto-opetuksen, maasto-/luokkaharjoitukset sekä itsenäisen opiskelun.

Learning materials

Hotanen, J. 2008 Metsätyypit, -opas kasvupaikkojen luokitteluun. Metsäkustannus
Laine,J. 2012 Suotyypit ja turvekankaat, opas kasvupaikkojen tunnistamiseen. Metsäkustannus
Keto-Tokoi, P. Elävä metsämaa (moniste)
Mälkönen, E. (toim.) 2003. Metsämaa ja sen hoito. Metsälehti Kustannus.
Opintojakson Moodlessa olevat materiaalit

Student workload

Maasto-opetus n. 30 h
Luennot ym. teoriaopetus (sis. paritöiden purku) 35 h
Maastoharjoitukset ja -harjoitusten purku n. 20 h
Tutoriaalit 10 h
Tentit 6 h
Omatoiminen opiskelu, valmistautuminen tutoriaaleihin ja tentteihin n. 100 h

Content scheduling

PBL- syklejä on kaksi: Metsämaa ja kasvupaikat sekä Kartat ja ilmakuvat
Muu ajoitus kts. lukujärjestys ja moodle

Completion alternatives

Ei ole

Further information

Opintojakso sisältää pakollisia maasto-opetusosioita.
Tutoriaalityöskentelyyn osallistuminen on 100% pakollista.
Maasto-opetuksessa ei ole säävarausta, joten kunnollinen sadevarustus mukaan tarvittaessa.