96978 - Management of Urban and Periurban Forests

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student has a basic knowledge of forest ecology and urban ecology, reclamation, revegetation silviculture.
More specifically, the student is able to:
- analyze a urban forest site and assess the characteristics of the urban forest stand;
- highlight technical and ecological problems;
- define management actions required for the sustainable management of the urban forest.

Course contents

Background knowledge.

The student must have an adequate background knowledge in plant science, biology and plant biodiversity (with reference to forest tree species) and ecology, as coming from other courses already taken in the Degree.

Unit 1. Forest ecology (8 hrs)

1.1 Tree ecology:growth and dynamics
1.2 Population ecology: structure of even- and uneven-aged forests, competition and mortality
1.3 Community ecology: interactions between populations
1.4 Ecosystem ecology: water cycle, runoff and erosion in forest and urban forest ecosystems, nutrient cycles in forest ecosystems
1.5 Landscape ecology: disturbances, degrade and ecological successions
1.6 Effects of vegetation at different scales
1.7 Reproductive biology in forest tree species
1.8 Ecosystem service and stability-orientated forest management.

Unit 2. Silviculture (12 hrs)

2.1 Silviculture, definition and objectives; evolution of the concept of silviculture
2.2 Urban Forest functions: protection, recreation, environmental
2.3 Reclamation, revegetation and afforestation
2.4 Forest management Coppice methods: simple, selection, with standards, composite
2.5 High forest methods: clearcutting, shelterwood, selection methods
2.6 Thinnings: objectives and methods
2.7 Forest management for landscape, recreational and ecosystem purposes

Field practicals (10 hrs)

Two excursions in parks or woods

Readings/Bibliography

Considering the wide range of topics addressed, the course can be studied on slides and material provided by the lecturer on IOL Campus. For further reading :

Piussi P., Alberti G. 2015. Selvicoltura generale. Boschi, società e tecniche colturali. Ed. Compagnia delle Foreste, Arezzo

Muzzi E., Rossi G, 2003. Recupero ambientale delle aree estrattive in Emilia Romagna. Regione Emilia Romagna. Bologna

Teaching methods

The course is largely based on lectures, but is integrated by three field practicals in forest or park.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme

Assessment methods

The course is part of Corso Integrato 96976 – Alberi monumentali ed ecologia forestale together with: 96977 – Coltivazione e gestione di alberi monumentali.
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The joint exams for the entire Corso integrato take into account the knowledge and proficiency of the student in both courses. The knowledge and proficiency in the current course are assessed as follows.

The test is based on a final oral exam. The assessment is based on the understanding demonstrated by the individual student, on the discussion of field practicals and on the quality of his presentation. Each student will answer two questions, related to the two units making up the course. The exam lasts approximatively 30 minutes.

Teaching tools

Slides of all lectures are made available beforehand to the students through the Virtuale portal (virtuale.unibo.it).

Office hours

See the website of Federico Magnani