Overview

Global Forests; Climate change; global land-use systems; deforestation; history of the UK forests; Tree Identification and Tree measurement; Silvicultural systems and characteristics; Introduction to forest practice: site classification, establishment to harvesting, and stand stability; Tree biology and growth; primary and secondary meristems; buds, bark and xylem, root structure; Wood and wood-based forest products, non-timber forest products; Wood and its cellular characteristics, an introduction, conifers and angiosperms; Forest biology; root and mycorrhizal interactions; Introduction to forest health; Basic wood science: wood properties and the effect of water on its properties

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Shows a basic knowledge of without major omissions or misunderstanding and in sufficient depth to form a coherent answer, where gradings within the D category (40-49%) would be appropriate.

-good -Shows an intermediate level of understanding, competence and skill with some evidence of additional reading, where gradings within the B and C categories (50-69%) would be appropriate.

-excellent -Shows and advanced and in depth knowledge with extensive use of primary and current literature resources, where gradings within the A category (70+%) would be appropriate.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of wood structure, properties and processing to produce materials fit for purpose

• Evaluate the global value of trees, forests and agroforestry systems. This includes an introduction to the role that trees and woodlands play for a variety of different ecosystem functions (such as climate regulation) and the effects of deforestation, disease and other processes on these benefits.

• Introduction to basic tree biology and wood science (including key structures, growth patterns, and both positive and negative interactions with decomposer organisms )

• Understand the basics of tree ecology and the functions that trees can provide to ecosystems and agroecosystems

• Understand the main features of silvicultural systems (including tree identification, site classification and tree and woodland mensuration practices)