Sustainable Forest and Nature Management

Course content

The main aim of this field-trip based course is to visit and critically discuss issues on sustainable forest and nature management. The course is developed and implemented jointly gathering students and teaching staff from all of the SUFONAMA consortium universities (University of Copenhagen, Swedish Agricultural University, University of Padova, Georg-August University Göttingen, and Bangor University). Overall theme, responsible institution, and location will change between years (contact course responsible for information). The studies will cover the following aspects of the study region: geology, landscape and ecology, climate, pedology, vegetation types, biodiversity, demographics, socio-economics, tourism, policy, etc. Students will prepare a critical review (between 1500 and 2000 words) which should critically compare and contrast the approaches used by the organizations visited during the course. Similarly, the report should organize and critically discuss the academic topics covered during the field trip. Students should identify the main management objectives, constraints affecting the achievement of objectives, and critically evaluate the effectiveness of management/approaches used in achieving the objectives. Students will individually present their review and their findings during the last days of the field trip (see description above). In addition they will attend a written exam.

Education

MSc Programme in Forest and Nature Management 
MSc Programme in Forest Ecosystems, Nature and Society (SUFONAMA)

Learning outcome

The aim is to give the student an in-depth understanding of sustainable forest and nature management in a European context.

Knowledge:

  • Describe the structure, development and variation of ecosystems as well as understand the causes and effects in a scientific perspective
  • Identify possibilities/limitations and the ecological tolerance in relation to people’s utilisation of forests and nature
  • Understand interactions between physical and biological environments of forests and nature areas
  • Explain the principles of sustainable utilisation, protection and stewardship of forests and other semi-natural areas
  • Summarise economic and policy theory and demonstrate general knowledge of the planning tools utilised in the economic management of forests and nature

Skills:

  • Develop, quantify and apply theoretical and practical models for the productive functions of forests and natural resources – material as well as immaterial
  • Apply economic theory and utilise planning tools to analyse and model the welfare and business economic value production of forests and natural resources
  • Assess the possibilities and limitations of theories and methodologies
  • Tackle problems by collecting, analysing and evaluating appropriate qualitative and quantitative information and using it creatively

 Competences:

  • Turn demands on our natural surroundings into concrete actions and projects based on a natural science foundation
  • Transfer theories and principles to new situations and assume independent and professional responsibility
  • Manage operations and development tasks in the framework set out by society (legislation, regulations, realities)
  • Display the competence, key skills ,behaviour and attitutes required in a professional working life
  • Transfer problem analysis, theories, impirical data collection and analysis into field based reports to meet the objectives of multitudinous stakeholders
  • Collaborate constructively with others in interdisciplinary and intercultural contexts
  • Independently evaluate and structure own learning processes and assume responsibility for own professional development with a view to life-long learning

Students will apply concepts on sustainable forest and nature management. This will be acquired during theoretical lectures in Year 1 of the SUFONAMA EMMC as well as the compulsory course “Location Specific Knowledge and Fieldwork in Temperate Forest and Nature Management”. Field exercises will demonstrate the applicability of the central concepts. During the field trip students will collect data, and various approaches to address thematic problems in sustainable forest and nature management. The course includes excursions, lessons and interactive class room discussions, and theoretical and practical exercises during the field trip.

The course: Location Specific Knowledge and Fieldwork in Temperate Forest and Nature Management. Reports from this course will be presented and discussed during the summer course Sustainable Forest and Nature Management

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.

SUFONAMA students are prioritised. The course may take place outside Denmark. There is a participation fee of approximately EURO 700 for covering accommodation, food local transportation during the field trip. Non-SUFONAMA students must contact course responsible, Niels Strange before signing up for the course.

Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 hours
Exam will be a 3 hours written exam on the topics discussed during the field excursion
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner
Criteria for exam assessment

see learning outcome for criterias. Fullfilment of these will give the grade 12

Single subject courses (day)

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 40
  • Excursions
  • 73
  • Project work
  • 73
  • Exam
  • 10
  • English
  • 206