Study unit

The student will understand how the management and use of forests and changing climate affect production of different ecosystem services. Furthermore, the student will understand the need to develop adaptive forest management (and utilization) strategies and possibilities offered by forest-based bioeconomy to mitigate climate change (main emphasis on boreal forests during lectures, in groups works wider focus). 

Essentials: Forest based ecosystem services; Effects of management and use of forests, and climate change on growth and dynamics of forests and production of different ecosystem services (especially forest biomass production (timber, energy biomass), carbon sequestration and biodiversity of forests); Foreseen climate change and uncertainties related to it and silvicultural risks (abiotic and biotic damages); Adaptive forest management (and utilization) strategies needed under changing operative environment; Possibilities offered by forest-based bioeconomy to mitigate climate change. Complementary knowledge: Use of forest ecosystem modeling, multi-functional forest management planning and optimization, mechanistic risk modeling and life cycle assessment in forest management related research. 

Lectures (12 h), literature, exam on lectures and literature or essees on agreed topics. Additionally group work and its reporting (12 h), and seminar presentation of group work (4 h). 

In the fall semester 2020 as distance learning; lectures, group work and the exam are replaced by independent assignments given at the beginning of the course.

Kellomäki, S. 2017. Managing boreal forests in the context of climate change: Impacts, adaptation and climate change mitigation. Taylor and Francis.  

Lecture handouts and additional reading material (e.g., scientific research articles) provided by teachers, and seminar presentations of group works.  

0-5 exam or essees, additionally required accepted group work report and its presentation in seminar.

Professor of Silvicultural Sciences, Senior Researcher in Silvicultural Sciences and visiting lecturers.

Basic/advanced level understanding is required for the silvicultural practices and dynamics of boreal forest ecosystems and its links to environmental conditions and silviculture in order to participate in this M.Sc. course.

As pre-reading material, Rantala, S. (edt). 2011. Finnish Forestry – Practice and management (pp. 1-142 and 173-234), is suggested for M.Sc. students having no B.Sc. (Agr. and For.) degree at the School of Forest Sciences.

Autumn 2020 (1. period). Will be organised every second year.

Joensuu

The language of instruction in this course is English. Preference is given to the M.Sc. students of the School of Forest Sciences.