Content (Syllabus outline)
Natural forest structures and processes as a foundation for close-to-nature silviculture: Primeval forests and forest reserves. Natural and anthropogenic disturbances and stand dynamics (classification, complexity and disturbance influence, reaction of trees and stands). Models of stand development (silvigenesis).
Spatiotemporal stand dynamics: age structure; species composition; species alternation; coexistence; competition. Silvicultural description of stands.
Silvicultural systems: Definition and history. Traditional systems (Clear cut; Shelterwood and Strip cutting). Systems based on natural processes (Selection systems, Irregular shelterwood, Free style silviculture). Special systems: Coppices, Coppices with standards. Naturalness of silvicultural systems.
Silvicultural planning: Definition, significance and historical development; Phases of planning; Structure and realisation of plans.
Selected examples of special silviculture: Regeneration ecology; Natural and artificial regeneration; Afforestation and Conversion; Silviculture in: protected areas and urban forests, floodplain forests, riparian forests, Mediterranean forests, high-mountain forests.
Prerequisites
1. Condition for inclusion in the work:
- inscription to adequate academic year,
- completed BSc study level in Forestry or similar study of natural resources,
- for students of other disciplines prerequisite are passed exams in Geology, Soil science, Meteorology and Botany.
2. Condition for performing study obligations:
- active participation at the lectures,
- positive evaluation of two colloquia,
- positive evaluation of a seminar,
- reports from field excursions,
- collaboration during field exercises,
- individual assignments.