M.Forst.1615: Forest growth and tree-based land use in the tropics (6 C / 4 SWS)

Learning outcome:
Lecture: Understanding of growth research approaches in the tropics. Participants will become familiar with sampling, measurement, and analysis methods for age determination and increment measurement of trees and forest stands.
Seminar: Understanding and evaluating the role of trees in land use systems. Students will further learn to direct discussions on scientific topics.

Courses and examinations
Forest growth and tree-based land use in the tropics (Exercise, Lecture, 4 SWS)

The lecture include the following topics: geographical distribution of the tropics and their climatological characterization, dendrological and site characteristics of forests types, structure and dynamics of forests, status of tropical forests and situation of deforestation, climate growth relations of trees and stands, wood anatomical features of selected tree species, implications of growth studies on sustainable management systems and carbon flux estimations in tropical forests.
The seminar aims to analyze and discuss tree-based land use systems such as agroforestry systems and plantations from different perspectives (e.g. environmental, socio-economic, production perspective). A special emphasis will be put on biological interactions when different species are grown together and the potential to restore degraded sites with sustainable land use options. Further issues to be addressed may include biofuel production and climate change mitigation and adaptation in tree-based land use systems. Part of the seminar are student-led presentations of case studies from different geographic regions that will be evaluated in its regional context. The presentations can be either based on own experiences or chosen from a list of topics,
supported through recent literature.

Exam:
2 Subexams: Written exam (60 minutes) and term paper (15 pages max.)

Prerequisite for examination:
Kenntnis der beschriebenen Lehrinhalte, Erreichung der festgelegten Lernziele und Nachweis der angestrebten Kompetenzen.

Workload: 180 h (28/152 h, Attendance time/Self-study time)

Admission requirements:
None

Recommended previous knowledge:
None

Language:
English

Person responsible for module:
Dr. Sophie Graefe

Course frequency:
Academic Term each winter semester

Duration:
One semester

Number of repeat examinations permitted:
Twice

Recommended Semester:
First Semester

Maximum number of students:
unlimited