Forestry
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
Provide students with the knowledge on the functioning of forest ecosystems and the principles and techniques of sustainable forest management and forest planning; train future forest professionals to manage and plan for the provision of production and regulation ecosystem services, also taking onto account the conservation of biodiversity, the prevention of risks (forest fires , hydrogeologic hazards) and as a tool for mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Expected learning outcomes
Understand the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on individual trees, stands and forest communities; quantitatively describe the characteristics of a forest stand through field survey and numerical data analysis, and predict its evolution over time; learn about the relationships between forests, climate change and biodiversity; understand the effects of forest management on ecosystem services and the forest productivity; understand the effect of forests management on the vulnerability of forests to hydrogeologic hazards, climate change mitigation, and fire danger; choose the appropriate silvicultural intervention to guarantee the intended ecosystem services and ensure their environmental, economic and social sustainability; interpret and analyze the main forestry planning documents (level II and level III plans); know about the existing territorial planning tools at local and regional scale; design a forest management project; calculate volume, increment and yield of forest stands; represent the physical and ecological characteristics of forest stands using cartographic methods; carry out zonation of the prevailing ecosystem services at the forest landscape scale; know and apply national and regional forestry legislation.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Module 1 - Forest management.
1 CFU
Introduction to the course. Definition of forest. The tree and its organs. Population and community ecology in forests. Description of forest stands. Elements of tree measurement.
1 CFU
Forest ecosystems: climate, growth factors, energy flows, biogeochemical cycles. Regeneration strategies. Disturbance ecology.
Management of coppices and high forests (even- and uneven-aged). Thinning and tending. Forest conversions.
1 CFU
Forests in the world, in Italy and Lombardy. Ecosystem services and sustainable forest management.
Silviculture and climate change. Carbon sink and the forest-wood chain. Forestry and adaptation to climate change.
1 CFU
Management of hydrogeological protection forests. Silviculture to prevent forest fires. Silviculture and soil conservation. Silviculture and biodiversity. Silviculture in protected areas and Natura 2000.
Module 2 - Forest planning.
1 CFU: Dendroauxology
Forest growth curves. Forest yield and increment. Calculating volume of logs, trees and stands.
The laws of Auxonomy. Different types of forest increment and their determination. Calculating the increment of a single trees and forest stands. Pressler and Schneider methods for increment calculation. Advanced indices of forest structure.
1 CFU: Planning
Definition and Objectives of Forest planning. Main legislative references: R.D.L. 3267/1923, D.Lgs. 34/2018, L.R. 31/2008, Reg. Reg. 5/2007. Forest management plans at regional, district, and ownership scale. Criteria for writing management plans. Preliminary investigations and territorial classifications. Compartmentalization of the forest district and determination of forest managemen units. Definition of medium and long term plan objectives. Definition of normal forest. The calculation of harvest rate between traditional methods and silvicultural needs. The choice of rotation periods. Logging methods and forest road planning. The technical report of the managent plan. The regulation implementing the plan. Participatory planning.
1 CFU: New technologies to support planning
Statistical sampling and forest inventories. Auxometric surveys. Cartographic and topographic surveys. Management plan Cartography. Cartographic bases and their updating. The use of G.I.S. in settlement. Elements of remote sensing for forest planning. Simulation models and decision support systems for forest planning.
1 CFU: ecosystem services planning
Plans of protected areas and Natura 2000 areas. Analysis of ecological connectivity. Biomass supply plans. Plans for forecasting, preventing and fighting forest fires at a regional and local scale. Relationships with other territorial, urban and hydraulic-hydrological planning tools.
1 CFU
Introduction to the course. Definition of forest. The tree and its organs. Population and community ecology in forests. Description of forest stands. Elements of tree measurement.
1 CFU
Forest ecosystems: climate, growth factors, energy flows, biogeochemical cycles. Regeneration strategies. Disturbance ecology.
Management of coppices and high forests (even- and uneven-aged). Thinning and tending. Forest conversions.
1 CFU
Forests in the world, in Italy and Lombardy. Ecosystem services and sustainable forest management.
Silviculture and climate change. Carbon sink and the forest-wood chain. Forestry and adaptation to climate change.
1 CFU
Management of hydrogeological protection forests. Silviculture to prevent forest fires. Silviculture and soil conservation. Silviculture and biodiversity. Silviculture in protected areas and Natura 2000.
Module 2 - Forest planning.
1 CFU: Dendroauxology
Forest growth curves. Forest yield and increment. Calculating volume of logs, trees and stands.
The laws of Auxonomy. Different types of forest increment and their determination. Calculating the increment of a single trees and forest stands. Pressler and Schneider methods for increment calculation. Advanced indices of forest structure.
1 CFU: Planning
Definition and Objectives of Forest planning. Main legislative references: R.D.L. 3267/1923, D.Lgs. 34/2018, L.R. 31/2008, Reg. Reg. 5/2007. Forest management plans at regional, district, and ownership scale. Criteria for writing management plans. Preliminary investigations and territorial classifications. Compartmentalization of the forest district and determination of forest managemen units. Definition of medium and long term plan objectives. Definition of normal forest. The calculation of harvest rate between traditional methods and silvicultural needs. The choice of rotation periods. Logging methods and forest road planning. The technical report of the managent plan. The regulation implementing the plan. Participatory planning.
1 CFU: New technologies to support planning
Statistical sampling and forest inventories. Auxometric surveys. Cartographic and topographic surveys. Management plan Cartography. Cartographic bases and their updating. The use of G.I.S. in settlement. Elements of remote sensing for forest planning. Simulation models and decision support systems for forest planning.
1 CFU: ecosystem services planning
Plans of protected areas and Natura 2000 areas. Analysis of ecological connectivity. Biomass supply plans. Plans for forecasting, preventing and fighting forest fires at a regional and local scale. Relationships with other territorial, urban and hydraulic-hydrological planning tools.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of biology and mathematics.
Working knowledge of English (B1).
Working knowledge of English (B1).
Teaching methods
Lecturers will use:
a) Lectures and group discussion to provide theoretical concepts, and develop critical thinking skills;
b) Lab activities to consolidate knowledge learned during the lectures, and develop applied ecology competences useful in the professional practice;
c) Exercises and quiz to verify the acquisition of knowledge and competences;
d) Field trips to learn how to measure, describe and assess forest stands.
Attendance of lectures is strongly recommended.
For the field trips, students travel with their own means to the meeting place. Students are allowed to participate in field activities only if they have:
- Mountain boots with vibram soles
- Water (minimum 1 l per person) and snacks
- First aid kit
- Clothing for rain and cold temperatures
- Notepad and pencil
Inclusiveness. The teacher is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment, providing listening and prompt action following any report or request for support, and adopting the compensatory tools provided for by the University guidelines for students with Specific Learning Disorders. Students wishing to make use of compensatory tools must report it to the teacher via e-mail within the first week of the course, and / or within 15 days of the exam.
Integrity. The teacher commits to evaluate the achievement of the objectives stated by this syllabus and the knowledge acquired on the program specified here with objectivity and transparency. Students are committed to the utmost integrity during the assessment test.
Responsibility. Attendance to the course is not compulsory, but strongly recommended. Lessons and field trips will start no later than 15 minutes after the scheduled time. The teacher and the students are committed to punctuality, respect for each other's work, and to collaborate proactively during teaching activities. The teacher will promptly report any schedule or program changes using the online course bulletin board. Students commit to consult the course website frequently and to make informed use of the study material. Reading the recommended textbook passages before each lesson will help you learn more effectively in the classroom.
a) Lectures and group discussion to provide theoretical concepts, and develop critical thinking skills;
b) Lab activities to consolidate knowledge learned during the lectures, and develop applied ecology competences useful in the professional practice;
c) Exercises and quiz to verify the acquisition of knowledge and competences;
d) Field trips to learn how to measure, describe and assess forest stands.
Attendance of lectures is strongly recommended.
For the field trips, students travel with their own means to the meeting place. Students are allowed to participate in field activities only if they have:
- Mountain boots with vibram soles
- Water (minimum 1 l per person) and snacks
- First aid kit
- Clothing for rain and cold temperatures
- Notepad and pencil
Inclusiveness. The teacher is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment, providing listening and prompt action following any report or request for support, and adopting the compensatory tools provided for by the University guidelines for students with Specific Learning Disorders. Students wishing to make use of compensatory tools must report it to the teacher via e-mail within the first week of the course, and / or within 15 days of the exam.
Integrity. The teacher commits to evaluate the achievement of the objectives stated by this syllabus and the knowledge acquired on the program specified here with objectivity and transparency. Students are committed to the utmost integrity during the assessment test.
Responsibility. Attendance to the course is not compulsory, but strongly recommended. Lessons and field trips will start no later than 15 minutes after the scheduled time. The teacher and the students are committed to punctuality, respect for each other's work, and to collaborate proactively during teaching activities. The teacher will promptly report any schedule or program changes using the online course bulletin board. Students commit to consult the course website frequently and to make informed use of the study material. Reading the recommended textbook passages before each lesson will help you learn more effectively in the classroom.
Teaching Resources
Slides and course notes; study material provided by lecturers on MS Teams channels.
Recommended texts:
P. Piussi, G. Alberti (2015). "Selvicoltura generale. Boschi, società e tecniche colturali". Compagnia delle Foreste, Arezzo.
P. Corona, A. Barbati, B. Ferrari, L. Portoghesi (2019). "Pianificazione ecologica dei sistemi forestali", 2 ed. Compagnia delle Foreste, Arezzo.
IPLA (2004). "Alberi e arbusti. Guida alle specie spontanee del Piemonte". Blu Edizioni, Peveragno (free PDF available on the web)
Recommended texts:
P. Piussi, G. Alberti (2015). "Selvicoltura generale. Boschi, società e tecniche colturali". Compagnia delle Foreste, Arezzo.
P. Corona, A. Barbati, B. Ferrari, L. Portoghesi (2019). "Pianificazione ecologica dei sistemi forestali", 2 ed. Compagnia delle Foreste, Arezzo.
IPLA (2004). "Alberi e arbusti. Guida alle specie spontanee del Piemonte". Blu Edizioni, Peveragno (free PDF available on the web)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Module 1 - Silviculture: Students will be assessed through an oral exam including questions about the program (max 18 points) and a short discussion of a forest management project prepared by the student, to be handed out before the exam (max 12 points).
Module 2 - Forest planning: the learning will be evaluated with a written exam (lasting 2 hours) based on the assessment of the following skills: (1) interpretation of a II or III level forest management plan, (2) interpretation of forest cartography, (3) calculation of volume, increment and allowable cut of forest stands; (4) Knowledge and application of forest legislation; (5) discussion of topics from the course.
The modules can be taken independently of each other; the final grade is the arithmetic mean of the grades of the two modules.
The evaluation criteria of the management project will be published on the MS Teams pages of the course. The evaluation criteria of the exams include: ability to present and apply the acquired knowledge; ability to organize information; ability to describe and critically analyze forest systems; proficiency in the use of techical vocabulary.
Module 2 - Forest planning: the learning will be evaluated with a written exam (lasting 2 hours) based on the assessment of the following skills: (1) interpretation of a II or III level forest management plan, (2) interpretation of forest cartography, (3) calculation of volume, increment and allowable cut of forest stands; (4) Knowledge and application of forest legislation; (5) discussion of topics from the course.
The modules can be taken independently of each other; the final grade is the arithmetic mean of the grades of the two modules.
The evaluation criteria of the management project will be published on the MS Teams pages of the course. The evaluation criteria of the exams include: ability to present and apply the acquired knowledge; ability to organize information; ability to describe and critically analyze forest systems; proficiency in the use of techical vocabulary.
AGR/05 - FOREST MANAGEMENT AND SILVICULTURE - University credits: 8
Field activity: 28 hours
Practicals: 4 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Practicals: 4 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Rossi Lorenzo Matteo Walter, Vacchiano Giorgio
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)