2023/2024

It is suggested that you have taken the courses provided for in the study plan

Educational material distributed by the teacher on the moodle platform.
Carbon cycle:
http://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget/
World forest resources and deforestation:
http://www.fao.org/forest-resources-assessment/en/
State of the world's forests:
http://www.fao.org/forestry/sofo/en/

The course consists of lectures, seminars and exercises held in the laboratory and in the woods.
The forest ecosystem. Biotic and abiotic components of the environment. The trophic structure of the ecosystem. The flow of energy. Energy balance, net radiation, food chains. Definition of forest. The measurement of the forest area. Global Forest Watch. 2030 Agenda and sustainable forest management.
Biomass and productivity. Biogeochemical cycles. The cycles at various levels of scale. Distribution of plants in relation to the water and heat balance of the station. Macroclimate, mesoclimate and microclimate. The climates of the Earth, climate changes. Bioclimate and bioclimatic indices. Phytoclimatic classifications. Forest climate: influence of forest cover on light, heat, wind and water.
The biotic component of the forest ecosystem. Tree, population, community: space-time structure, intra- and interspecific competition (habitat, niche) and positive ecosystem relations (mutualism). The structure and composition of forest stands. The dynamics of vegetation: the successions. Theories on the dynamism of forest vegetation, the concept of climax, successional models. Disturbing factors and successions.
Old-growth forests: a laboratory for the study of natural dynamics and processes and a model for silviculture. Structure and dynamics of the structural stages of a forest.
Elements of phytometry and dendrometry. Methods for measuring the size of trees and for studying the compositional and structural characteristics of forest stands.
Dendroauxometry: - methods for the measurement of the volume increment.
Introduction to forestry. The state of forests in the world and in Europe (Forest Europe). Biodiversity, forest products, and ecosystem services. Natura 2000, habitat and main Italian forest types.
Concepts of site and biocoenosis. Site diagnosis; forest types and productivity of stands. Hints of forest monitoring: bioindicators.
Forms of forest management: high forest, coppice. Natural regeneration. Even aged management; clear cuts and shelterwood systems. Forest thinnings. Uneven aged high forest: analysis of stand parameters in relation to the site and silvicultural objectives. Single tree selection, Plenter system, close to nature forestry.
The conversion of coppice into high forest. Conversion by natural evolution, indirect method, direct method.
Forest management in protected areas: forestry with low environmental impact; forest restoration.
Mitigation of the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems.
Special forestry: the treatment of the main tree species of Apennine interest.
Notes on regional forest regulations and laws.

Marco Paci. Ecologia forestale. Edagricole.
Orazio La Marca. Elementi di dendrometria. Patron Editore.
Mario Capelli. Selvicoltura generale. Edagricole.
Bernetti Giovanni. Selvicoltura speciale. Utet
Bernetti, G., Pividori, M., & Del Favero, R. (2012). Selvicoltura produttiva: manuale pratico. Edagricole.

The course consists of lectures, field exercises, and laboratory activities. In particular, the field exercises constitute a fundamental moment of involvement of the students who are called to active participation during the excursions and, therefore, to draw up a technical-scientific report based in part on group work and in-depth studies conducted during the study phase and personal application. This report also contributes to the assessment of the skills acquired in the area of ​​communication.

Optional

The level of learning achieved and the relative ability to communicate it are monitored through questions and discussions during lectures and field and laboratory exercises. In particular, the exercises constitute a fundamental moment of involvement of the students who are called to draw up a technical-scientific report based in part on group work and, therefore, on subsequent in-depth studies conducted during the study and personal application phase. This report also contributes to the assessment of the skills acquired in the area of ​​communication.
In the oral test for the attribution of the final grade the acquired level of knowledge, skills, and competence will be evaluated with particular reference to the critical understanding of principles and theories of forest measurements and management. In particular, the acquisition by the student of the ability to apply in concrete cases - derived for example from field excursions and activities- the concepts and methods acquired for forest management and through reasoning will be verified. Analysis and synthesis will be evaluated in relation to the knowledge acquired. The oral exam includes at least three-course topics, one of which will be chosen by the student.

    Gianluca PIOVESAN