Forest ecology (5 cr)

Objective

You are able to explain the basic ecological characteristics of Finnish forest ecosystems in mineral and peatland site types. You are able to describe the structure of vegetation based on site type classification.

Content

What are the basic characteristics of Finnish forest and peatland habitats?
How are mineral and peatland site types classified based on vegetation and soil properties?
How have different soil types generated and what are their main properties in terms of forestry?

Course material

Course study material; lecture material, learning tasks, etc. exercises are available in the course's Learn learning environment.
Literature: Metsätyypit - kasvupaikkaopas. 2018 (Hotanen, Nousiainen, Mäkipää, Reinikainen &Tonteri)
Suotyypit ja turvekankaat - kasvupaikkaopas. 2018 (Laine, Vasander, Hotanen, Nousiainen, Saarinen &Penttilä)
older editions of both books are also valid

Study forms and methods

Work week-based learning pathway:
The course consists of contact teaching, which focuses on outdoor teaching from the beginning of autumn and indoor lecture teaching from the end of autumn. In addition to the lectures, various exercises are done. Contact teaching is about 1/2 of the student's time and the rest is independent study.

RDI and work-related cooperation

The course takes place at the very beginning of the studies. Focus on substance and group. No prerequisites for RDI or working life cooperation.

Timing of exams and assignments

Field exams for forest and swamp types and a written exam. Possible retakes of field exams must be arranged separately with the teacher. Otherwise, according to normal practice.

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Written exam and field exam.