Field Forestry in Oregon

Course Description 

Use field work carried out in Oregon to study forests dynamics and understand stands development under normal and catastrophic conditions. Apply measurement techniques to express the interaction between forest and human society, with emphasis on silviculture. Use ecological theories and concepts to interpret the relationships among forest ecosystem components. PREREQS: Graduate student standing.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing this course will acquire advanced knowledge on the basic attributes used to describe a forest. The course has two objectives:

1. Development of a professional forestry understanding of the forest as a landscape level ecosystem using examples from Oregon.
2. Interpret information extracted from forest inventory in the context of forest dynamics

Course success is measured as 70 % or higher average for labs.

Measurable learning outcomes:

• Students completing this course will be able to execute a systematic forest inventory using fixed area plots
• Students completing this course will be able to identify soil layers and connect soil properties with vegetation growing on it
• Students completing this course will be able to ascertain silvicultural treatments required for sustainable forest management
• Students completing this course will be able to assess the forest fire impact on forest dynamics

Course Content