207-311 Forest Values

207-106 Conservation of Australian Forests, 207-275 Processes in Forest Ecology.

Forests around the world are valued for many uses, and these uses at times compete. This subject will present each of these, from timber products to recreation, and examine how these values are treated by different societies. On completion of the subject students should:

• know the various and competing uses for which forests are valued;

• understand how different forest attributes are valued by communities nationally and internationally;

• examine how historical use of forests has reflected community values at the time, and how the current forms of forests (age and size structure, species composition) are a consequence;

• appreciate how forest values can be assessed qualitatively and quantitatively;

• have learned how temporal and spatial patterns are managed and conserved within forest ecosystems, and how pattern components interact across the landscape;

• have an appreciation of how forest policy is formed and how it changes over time; and

• be aware of forest management tools including population viability analysis, sustainability indicators, and decision support systems.

Content will include:

• the use of forests for water, wood and non-wood tangible products, ecosystem services, aesthetic and spiritual values, and recreation;

• history of forest policy in various societies, and the resultant impact on forest ecosystems;

• assessment of community values and their incorporation in public and private forest management;

• principles of landscape ecology;

• status, monitoring, and trends in selected forest and landscape indicators in Australia; and

• introduction to management information and decision support systems.

One three-hour written examination (50% of final marks) and two practical reports of 3000 words each (25% each of final marks).