FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Over the last years, the quantitative definition of forest structure and stand dynamics has rapidly become more and more important because the knowledge of the main patterns and processes controlling a forest ecosystem is a critical prerequisite for a high-quality forest management. Therefore, an overall view starting from the ecological side of the ecosystem, to the management and finally to the exploitation strategies are becoming key instruments for a thorough knowledge and a wise management of forest systems.
More specifically, the course includes: (i) Understanding the role of different forest types in view of choosing the right management system (cfu 1); (ii) Forest structure: defining the main drivers structuring a forest stand. Classifying the vertical, horizontal and chronological structure. The importance of time. (cfu 1); (iii) Assessment of the different forest functions and choice of the main one in the context of the landscape mosaic in subalpine environments(cfu 2); (iv) Practical application of different silvicultural systems in subalpine forests (cfu 2). (v) Ability to analyse case-studies and to use them in understanding theory and concepts and in identifying weaknesses and strengths (cfu 1).
In addition, most of the case-studies discussed will be directly visited by the students; they are (a) an even-aged beech forest located in the pre-Alps; (b) a Pinus sylvestris stand heavily disturbed; (c) a typical subalpine spruce stand; (d) a typical uneven-aged, mixed larch-stone pine high-elevation stand; e) pine plantations at sea level under natural evolution; f) mixed fir-spruce-beech forest in the pre-Alps; g) Austrian pine stands with recurrent fire disturbances; h) coppice stands with different age. Finally, group discussion with the presentations from the students (cfu 4).