Forest Ecology and Management

3 credits · Graduate

This course surveys principles and practices of sustainable forestry in Canada with emphasis on Nova Scotia. Students will learn the basics of forest ecology including ecological succession and the basics of disturbance, including pests, disease, fire, wind, and climate change. Ecology will be synthesized with an introduction to silviculture (the principles of tree growth and regeneration) to better understand historic practices, current activities, and future trends in managing commercial forests and ensuring the integrity of forest ecosystems. The course will entail a number of field trips within transit-accessible locations in the Halifax Regional Municipality where students will learn principles of tree identification, forest health assessment, urban forestry, and Mi’kmaw perspectives on forests. Students will be expected to cover expenses related to transportation for field sessions. Students will be assessed on materials including fact sheets, participation and field notebooks, and a large final project on self-selected topics related to the science and policy of forest management. CALENDAR NOTES: Some sessions of this course take place in outdoor settings accessible by public transit in HRM. RESTRICTIONS: Non-MREM Students must get permission from instructor FORMATS: Lecture