Content (Syllabus outline)
Introduction to dendrology, dendrology as biological discipline, definition of its importance for forestry. Types of dendrology.
Forst biomes on Earth, development of tree species, importance of paleobotany, glacial refugia. Foundations of biogeography: distribution of woody plants, distribution ranges and factors shaping them. Endemic and relic species, endemic areas of the World and Europe.
Ecophysiological properties of woody plants and the reactions of plants to the environment. Terminology.
Morphology of woody plants, plant organs and their importance for species determination. Plant systematics, taxonomic categories, definition of species and lower taxonomic categories. Use of determination keys.
Detailed presentation of tree and shrub species: woody plants of the World, native species, economic and environmental tree species, important urban species, invasive species. Presentation includes: Distribution of species in the world and and Slovenia, ecological and silvicultural properties, biology, morphology (special attention on species determination), economic value, current and potential use, endangerment.
General principles of genetics and inheritance rules. Basic principles of population genetics. Definition of population, populations of forest trees. Genetic structure of population, methods for its assessment and factors that change it. Migrations, mutations, selection, genetic drift.
Forest tree breeding: history, importance and principles. Methods of forest tree breeding: selection, crossing, mutations and biotechnology. Review and examples of their global use, state-of-the-art in Slovenia,prospects of their intensivation in Slovenian forestry. The issue of genetically engineered trees and their environmantal risk assessment.
Prerequisites
1. Condition for inclusion in the work:
- Inscription to adequate academic year
2. Condition for performing study obligations:
- Obligatory attendance to the laboratory work and field excursions,
- Completed report from the laboratory work,
- Completed report from field excursions,
- Positive evaluation of herbarium,
- Positive evaluation of the seminar work and
- Two passed tests on woody species recognition.