913013 Forest Biodiversity Management

Type
Lecture and seminar
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Lapin, Katharina
Organisation
Offered in
Sommersemester 2025
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

The course covers the comprehensive process of planning and implementing forest management strategies to enhance biodiversity in forests. Key topics include forest biodiversity, threats such as climate change and invasive species, and the core principles of biodiversity management. Students will explore management approaches for protected forest areas, structural heterogeneity, deadwood, and tree diversity. The course also covers forest habitat management, monitoring techniques, ecological restoration, and policy frameworks. Practical fieldwork allows students to engage directly with forest ecosystems and apply theoretical knowledge. Through this structure, students will gain essential skills in biodiversity management, including data collection, assessment techniques, and understanding socio-ecological perspectives in forest conservation. Lecture topics include the following:
1. Introduction to Forest Biodiversity: Definitions, Components, and Ecological Importance
2. Threats to Forest Biodiversity: Climate Change, Invasive Species and Fragmentation
3. Core Concepts in Forest Biodiversity Management: Connectivity, and Ecological Restoration Approaches
4. Managing Protected Forest Areas: Types,Leg.,Biodiversity Hotspot Identification, and Policy Frameworks
5. Promoting Structural Diversity:Uneven-Aged Forests, Management Practices, and Deadwood Importanc
6. Managing Tree Diversity: Intra- and Interspecific Diversity and Genetic Conservation
7. Forest Habitat Management: Habitat Structures, Microhabitats, and Habitat Tree Conservation
Previous knowledge expected

Proficiency in English, both spoken and written, is required.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

Students gain advanced knowledge in the field of forest biodiversity and are able to apply this knowledge to real-world situations. Students attain the ability to identify and define critical issues related to biodiversity management in forest ecosystems. Furthermore, students acquire the skills to apply relevant methods in practical real life settings, and analyze, evaluate, and present their findings effectively.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.