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Unit of Study FOR03085 - Native Forests Silviculture (2017)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    There will be a 4 day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.

Unit description

Introduces students to the theory and practice of silviculture, by reviewing the underlying physiological and ecological principles and explaining how these are applied in controlling the composition, growth and regeneration of native forests.

Unit content

The following topics will be considered, discussed or reviewed:

  • objectives and context of native forest silviculture
  • ecological basis of disturbance, succession and regeneration in the functioning of forest communities: implications for sustainable forest management and productivity
  • growth habit and form of native forest trees, branching characteristics and tree shape, crown density, crown development and growth stages of eucalypts
  • physiological relations of shoot growth and growth habit – growth and development of native forest stands, environmental factors, time and functioning of forest ecosystems, hydrology
  • regeneration systems and techniques in native forests, coppice or seedling, enrichment planting, significance and meaning of ‘advance growth’ – silvicultural systems in native forests: coppice and high forest systems, clearcutting, seed tree and shelterwood techniques, group selection systems, management of even-aged and uneven-aged stands
  • evolution of silvicultural practice in eucalypt forests: treemarking and selection systems, ‘timber stand improvement’
  • current issues and practices of stand management in eucalypt forests and other native forest types, protection management of old growth native forests compared to intensive silviculture of native regrowth stands
  • silvicultural significance of changing local and world markets and increasing importance of maintenance of biodiversity in native forests
  • product specification for high and low grade wood products
  • tropical rainforest silviculture: ecological basis to regeneration strategies of major species groups
  • shade tolerance, growth patterns, disturbance and gap phase regeneration in tropical closed forests
  • canopy retention systems and their ecological consequences in tropical moist forests, polycyclic or cutting cycle selection logging, effects and issues of widespread clearcutting and burning of tropical closed forests

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2017

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Demonstrate skills of critical thinking, analysis, and application of scientific methods in forest science and management Exercise informed judgement and make logical decisions and in relation to forest science and management
2 Demonstrate imagination, initiative and enterprise in problem-solving Respond creatively to intellectual, professional, environmental and social challenges
3 Evaluate issues with reference to sound ethical frameworks and sustainability and demonstrate well developed reasoning based upon principles of social justice and professional standards
4 Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of sustainable forest science and management Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in professional and community settings Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in forest science and management
5 Demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in self-managed learning Critically and objectively reflect on practice, and adapt to change Demonstrate information literacy skills
6 Present clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas in forest science and management contexts Collaborate effectively on personal, scholarly, and professional terms
7 Demonstrate awareness and respect for cultural diversity and the relationship between people and their environment

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate skills of critical thinking, analysis, and application of scientific methods in forest science and management Exercise informed judgement and make logical decisions and in relation to forest science and management
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
  2. Demonstrate imagination, initiative and enterprise in problem-solving Respond creatively to intellectual, professional, environmental and social challenges
    • GA2:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  3. Evaluate issues with reference to sound ethical frameworks and sustainability and demonstrate well developed reasoning based upon principles of social justice and professional standards
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA7:
  4. Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of sustainable forest science and management Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in professional and community settings Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in forest science and management
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  5. Demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in self-managed learning Critically and objectively reflect on practice, and adapt to change Demonstrate information literacy skills
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  6. Present clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas in forest science and management contexts Collaborate effectively on personal, scholarly, and professional terms
    • GA2:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  7. Demonstrate awareness and respect for cultural diversity and the relationship between people and their environment
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA7: