Forest health and variable climate (5 cr)

Objective

You recognize the most important biotic and abiotic forest damages.
You are able to fight off and prevent forest damages by different means.
You are familiar with the current legislation connected with forest damages and its oblications.
You understand the process of the climate change and its effect on the forests.
You know how to protect forests against the risks caused by climate change.

Content

What are forest damages and how can they be recognized?
How do you prevent forest damages by silviculture and forest management?
How does the climate change effect on the forests?
How do you strengthen the forests to fight against climate change?

Course material

Exam material:
- Lecture materials (powerpoints, exercises, articles, etc.)
- Uotila, A., Kasanen, R. & Heliövaara, K. Metsätuhot.
- Laki metsätuhojen torjunnasta (1087/2013)
- Ilmastokestävä metsätalous, TAPIO
- Ilmasto-opas
- Metsien rooli ilmastonmuutoksen hillinnässä, MMM
- Melin, M., Mäkilä, P. & Ässämäki, A.: Metsät ja ilmastonmuutos
- In addition, the material shown by the teacher at the beginning of the course to the changing climate.

Study forms and methods

During the course, the most important pest species threatening the health of Finnish forests are studied, their identification and control.
In addition, the threats posed by climate change - abiotic - to forest health are studied both in Finland and on a global scale.
The course covers the possibilities of forest and forest management to combat climate change and the threats to forests and biodiversity posed by climate change.

The course includes lectures, field exercises, learning assignments, independently studied online learning materials and exams. Field exercises are mandatory.

RDI and work-related cooperation

Opintojakson sisältöjä, materiaaleja ja tehtäviä on kehitetty DIGIFOR-hankkeen puitteissa. Työelämämentorina oli metsätalouden asiantuntija Pekka Kuitunen Metsäkeskuksesta.

Timing of exams and assignments

The student compiles forest damage folder and performs learning tasks and species identifications. The forest damage folder is returned and the species identifications are made at the end of the course.

The species identification is in three-steps.
Core competence - when you do this, you can get a grade of H3
Complementary competence - when you do this in addition to the previous one, you can get a grade of H4
Expert competence - when you do this in addition to the previous one, you can get a grade of K5

International cooperation

The course contents, assignments and materials have been developed in the DIGIFOR project.

Student workload

Contact classes (includes lectures and field exercises) 50 hours
Forest damage folder 15 hours
Species identification 15 hours
Learning tasks 20 hours
Written exams 35 hours

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Forest damage folder 20%
Species identification 20%
Assignments 20 %
Theory Exam 40%

Qualifications

Forest regeneration