207-309 Forest Management & Access Systems

207-277 Forest Inventory and GIS.

On completion of the subject, students should:

• understand concepts and methods for managing forests for sustainable production of goods and services, and be aware of forest use conflicts and methods to resolve them;

• obtain an introduction to the role of access in forest management;

• understand geometric alignment of forest access roads, balancing of earthworks, construction principles and practices, and the impact of such constructions on other forest values;

• obtain an introduction to basic business planning principles as applied to forestry endeavours, including cash flow planning and valuation procedures; and

• learn about the role of forest management information systems (including GIS) in decision making; wood production in even and uneven-aged forests; growth and yield predictions; yield regulation; computer modelling in decision-support systems; and different methods and criteria for evaluation alternative management strategies.

One three-hour written examination (50% of total marks), and practical assignments (totalling 50% of final marks).