Sustainable Management and Bioeconomy of Mountain Forests
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
To provide the ecological, economic, legislative and social elements to manage mountain forests in a sustainable way and enhance their ecosystem services , in line with national and international strategies on bioeconomy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity conservation.
Expected learning outcomes
Understanding the status, dynamics, managament models, and funding schemes for global mountain forests; Understanding the structure and products of forest, wood and energy chains; being able to plan silvicultural operations to provide forest ecosystem services, increase forest resilience, and deliver sustainable input to the circular bioeconomy.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
PART I (3 CFU) - Mountain forests and ecosystem services
1. state and dynamics of montane forests on a global and national scale
2. forest structure and its effects on production, regulation and cultural ecosystem services;
3. principles of forest ecology
4. principles of tree mensuration, forest inventory and analysis of dendrometric data
5. retrieval and use of remote sensing forest data
6. biophysical and economic value of wood supply
7. biophysical and economic value of protection from natura hazards
PART II (3 CFU) - Forest management and planning
8. History of mountain forest management and silvicultural paradigms
9. material and energy wood supply chains and innovative products of the forest bioeconomy
10. principles of forest management
11. principles of species-specific forestry
12. sustainable forest management indicators, certification of sustainable forest management and chain of custody
13. recreational and cultural valorization of forests
14. participatory and integrated forest planning
15. elements of forest legislation
16. funding opportunties for the management, restoration and improvement of mountain forest ecosystems
PART III (2 CFU) - Forest bioeconomy and global challenges
17. Biophysical and economic value of climate change mitigation in the forest sector
18. Carbon footprint of a forest product
19. Climate vulnerability of forests and silviculture for prevention, mitigation and restoration from natural disturbances
20. Biophysical and economic value of biodiversity conservation in the forest sector
1. state and dynamics of montane forests on a global and national scale
2. forest structure and its effects on production, regulation and cultural ecosystem services;
3. principles of forest ecology
4. principles of tree mensuration, forest inventory and analysis of dendrometric data
5. retrieval and use of remote sensing forest data
6. biophysical and economic value of wood supply
7. biophysical and economic value of protection from natura hazards
PART II (3 CFU) - Forest management and planning
8. History of mountain forest management and silvicultural paradigms
9. material and energy wood supply chains and innovative products of the forest bioeconomy
10. principles of forest management
11. principles of species-specific forestry
12. sustainable forest management indicators, certification of sustainable forest management and chain of custody
13. recreational and cultural valorization of forests
14. participatory and integrated forest planning
15. elements of forest legislation
16. funding opportunties for the management, restoration and improvement of mountain forest ecosystems
PART III (2 CFU) - Forest bioeconomy and global challenges
17. Biophysical and economic value of climate change mitigation in the forest sector
18. Carbon footprint of a forest product
19. Climate vulnerability of forests and silviculture for prevention, mitigation and restoration from natural disturbances
20. Biophysical and economic value of biodiversity conservation in the forest sector
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of forest ecology
English language level B2
English language level B2
Teaching methods
The course includes 5.5 CFU of lesson time, 1 CFU of guided exercises, and 1.5 of field trips.
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.
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.
Teaching Resources
Slides and course notes; study material provided by lecturers on MS Teams channels.
Recommended texts:
Ashton M.S., Kelty M.J. (2018) The Practice of Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology, 10th Edition. Wiley.
Hetemaki L., Kangas J., Peltola H. (2022) Forest Bioeconomy and Climate Change. Springer
Kershaw J.A., Ducey M.J., Beers T.W., Husch B. (2016) Forest Mensuration, 5th Edition. Wiley
Baker P.J., Larsen D.R., Saxena A. (2022) Forests as Complex Social and Ecological Systems. Springer
Tognetti R., Smith M., Panzacchi P. (2022) Climate-Smart Forestry in Mountain Regions. Springer
Thiffault E., Smith C.T., Junginger M., Berndes G. (2016) Mobilisation of Forest Bioenergy in the Boreal and Temperate Biomes. Associated Press.
Matthews R. et al. (2014) Review of literature on biogenic carbon and life cycle assessment of forest bioenergy . Forestry Commission
Kellomaki S., Kilpelainen A., Alam A. (2013) Forest BioEnergy Production. Springer
Bettinger P., Boston K., Siry J.P., rebner D.L. (2017) Forest Management and Planning 2nd Edition. Academic Press
von Haaren C., Lovett A.A., Albert C. (2020) Landscape Planning with Ecosystem Services. Springer
Recommended texts:
Ashton M.S., Kelty M.J. (2018) The Practice of Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology, 10th Edition. Wiley.
Hetemaki L., Kangas J., Peltola H. (2022) Forest Bioeconomy and Climate Change. Springer
Kershaw J.A., Ducey M.J., Beers T.W., Husch B. (2016) Forest Mensuration, 5th Edition. Wiley
Baker P.J., Larsen D.R., Saxena A. (2022) Forests as Complex Social and Ecological Systems. Springer
Tognetti R., Smith M., Panzacchi P. (2022) Climate-Smart Forestry in Mountain Regions. Springer
Thiffault E., Smith C.T., Junginger M., Berndes G. (2016) Mobilisation of Forest Bioenergy in the Boreal and Temperate Biomes. Associated Press.
Matthews R. et al. (2014) Review of literature on biogenic carbon and life cycle assessment of forest bioenergy . Forestry Commission
Kellomaki S., Kilpelainen A., Alam A. (2013) Forest BioEnergy Production. Springer
Bettinger P., Boston K., Siry J.P., rebner D.L. (2017) Forest Management and Planning 2nd Edition. Academic Press
von Haaren C., Lovett A.A., Albert C. (2020) Landscape Planning with Ecosystem Services. Springer
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning outcomes will be successfully verified by passing a final exam with a score between 18 and 30. 40% of the score will consist of the evaluation of three in.course exercises (0-4 points each) to be carried out individually during the course. 60% of the score will consist of the evaluation of a written project for the sustainable valorization of forest resources in a site chosen by the student, to be carried out in pairs (0-12 greases), and its oral presentation with supporting slides during the exam. (0-6 points). The methods for writing and evaluating the exercises and the project will be communicated on the MS Teams website of the course.
AGR/05 - FOREST MANAGEMENT AND SILVICULTURE - University credits: 8
Field activity: 16 hours
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Vacchiano Giorgio, Vizzarri Matteo
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
DiSAA building 21050, first floor