2025/2026

Preferable knowledge in dendrology, forest ecology, dendrometry.

Piussi, P., & Alberti, G. (2015). Selvicoltura generale. Boschi, società e tecniche colturali. Compagnia delle Foreste Srl.

1- Introduction to Silviculture
What is a forest: legal definition, ecological definition
Formation: ecological successions, natural dynamics, and old-growth forests
Human-forest interaction throughout history: evolution of forestry thought
New approaches to silviculture: multifunctional and sustainable forest management

2- Site Diagnosis
The concept of a forest stand: factors defining stand characteristics
Climate and climate indices: key climatic factors and climate diagrams
Phytoclimate: phytoclimatic classifications

3- Stand Description
- Extension
- Composition
- Spatial structure: vertical, horizontal, tree classification
- Age structure: even-aged and uneven-aged forests
- Origin
- Evolutionary stages (even-aged forests)
- Phytosanitary status

4- Forms of Management
High forest
Coppice forest

Coppice Treatments
Even-aged coppice: simple coppice, coppice with standards
Uneven-aged coppice: coppice with standards on a rotation
Compound coppice

6- High Forest Treatments
Even-aged high forest: clearcutting, clearcutting on small areas (strip, edge, gap), shelterwood cuts (uniform, small areas)
Uneven-aged high forest: selection cutting
Intermediate forms: group selection cutting

7- Intermediate Cuts
Thinnings and cleanings
Thinnings: type, intensity, starting age, frequency

8- Special Techniques
Conversions and transformations

Lecture notes, slides and handouts provided by the teacher.
Cappelli, Mario. Elementi di selvicoltura generale : governo, trattamento e cure colturali ai boschi. Bologna : Edagricole, 1982

Classroom lectures, field surveys.

Strongly recommended but not mandatory.

The exam consists of an oral test on the topics covered during the course. It will be verified that the expected learning outcomes have been effectively acquired by the students. The evaluation will consider the students' ability to articulate, the completeness and detail of the requested topics, and their ability to connect the different topics. The final grade will be based on the level of knowledge demonstrated, the ability to analyze, synthesize, and make interdisciplinary connections, the capacity for critical thinking and judgment, and the mastery and clarity of expression and presentation.

    francesco solano