Modiwl DXX-2017:
Forest Health
Forest Health 2024-25
DXX-2017
2024-25
School of Environmental & Natural Sciences
Module - Semester 1
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Lars Markesteijn
Overview
- Forest Health – What is a healthy forest?
- Introduction to the problems in the forest: biotic, abiotic and interactions, particularly with climatic factors.
- The Disease Triangle – a useful concept when addressing forest health
- A systematic view of problems I: Pseudofungi - Phytophthora
- A systematic view of problems II: Real fungi - Ascomycota
- A systematic view of problems III: Real fungi – Basidiomycota
- Insects - The basics
- Insects on the move: Global trade and change
- Acute Oak Decline: a major threat to UK oak
- Policy and social aspects of forest health
- Monitoring forest health
- Immediate and future (known) threats
- Managing for resilience of future (unknown) threats
Assessment Strategy
-threshold -Grade D- to D+. Have a basic understanding of tree and forest health issues, show a basic knowledge of the conditions and organisms involved in different pest and disease severity
-good -Grade C- to B+. As above but at a higher level of understanding and be able to demonstrate evidence of reading original papers rather than grey literature digests.
-excellent -Grade A- and above. As above but extensive level of knowledge and understanding and evidence of widespread use of both current and historical literature.
Learning Outcomes
- Critical understanding of different management and control options for long term tree-crops and natural forest ecosystems
- Critical understanding of environmental factors which determine the development of pests and diseases
- Critical understanding of the organisms likely to harm trees and their broader significance
- Critical understanding of the reasons for spread of, and success of, organisms causing forest health issues
- General understanding of the likely effects of climate change on forest health
Assessment method
Individual Presentation
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Assessed seminars (20% of module assessment mark) Individual presentations (strict: 15 minutes long + max. 5 min discussion) will be assessed and feedback will be given. You are expected to use PowerPoint (or similar) for the presentations. Presentations should be shared / submitted in PDF format before or during the seminar.
Weighting
20%
Due date
06/12/2024
Assessment method
Coursework
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Summary of seminar presentation (20% of the module assessment mark) A 500-word summary of your own presentation is required. The summary should include references but these will not be included in the word count. The summary should be submitted via Turnitin NOT as a hardcopy.
Weighting
20%
Due date
18/11/2024
Assessment method
Exam (Centrally Scheduled)
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Written Examination. This will take place during the winter semester examination period (January 2021, exact date TBA) 1.5 hours. You will be asked to chose two (out of six) short essay questions (i.e. 60% of module marks).
Weighting
60%