220-280 Silviculture of Native Forests

207-163 Silviculture

The subject expands on the basic principals of silviculture and looks, in detail at the silvicultural systems applied to forests of varying type.

On completion of this subject, students should:

• have an awareness of the constraints on silviculture due to ecological and social factors;

• understand the factors which can affect stand health and growth and be aware of the techniques available to manage these factors;

• understand silvicultural processes, as applied to different forest types, from site selection through to harvesting and post harvesting processes; and

• be aware of genetic developments, tree breeding and nursery practices.

The content includes:

• stand health and growth and the factors that affect them;

• ecological and social limiting factors;

• site selection, preparation, planting, stand tending, monitoring, harvesting and post-harvesting treatments;

• yield regulation and harvesting, second rotations, and product oriented silviculture;

• stand monitoring and seed collection; and

• genetics, tree breeding and nursery practice.

A 2-hour examination worth 40%, and up to three projects of a maximum of 2000 words totalling 60% of the final marks.