SYLLABUS

 FOREST BIOLOGY -- FORY 3020

Date page was last update: August 17, 2015

Course Number: FORY 3020
Course Name: Forest Biology
Credit Hours: 2; eight, 8-hour days
Prerequisites:BIOL 1020
 

Course Description: Field exposure to important principles of forest biology and some examples of their applications to forest resources; identification of major tree species.

Instructors: Drs. Scott Enebak and Edward Loewenstein
Guest Instructors: Drs. Kathyrn Flynn and Dean Gjerstad
Text Used: Lecture and Laboratory Handbook

Examinations:

1. Daily Lecture Exams -- 5 @ 5% each = 25%
2. Laboratory Reports -- 2 @ 10% each = 20%
3. Tree Identification Exams -- = 25%
4. Final Examination -- = 25%
5. Team Evaluation-- = 5%

Total =100%

Grade Scale: 10-Point Scale: 100-90 = A; 89-80 = B; 79-70 = C; 69-60 = D; 59-0 = F.

Course Objectives:

COURSE OUTLINE FORY 3020 -- FOREST BIOLOGY

Day 1. The Resource and Tree Structure

• Forest Regions of North America
• Value of Forestry in Alabama
• Structure of Forest Trees
  • Primary Growth
  • Secondary Growth
  • Stem Analysis

  ---

  Day 2. Forest Pest Management & Forest Ecology
  

  • Diseases of Forest Trees
    • Significance of Losses to Forest Diseases
    • Causes of Forest Diseases
    • Disease Complexes
    • Principles of Forest Disease Management
  • Insect Pests of Forest Trees
    • Importance and Modes of Action
    • Impact on Forest Trees
  • Impact of Weeds on Forests
    • Herbaceous and Woody Weeds
    • Control Methods
    • Impact of Forest Growth and the Environment
  • Community Development
  • Succession
  • Tolerance
  • Competition

  ---

  Day 3. Forest Soils

  • Concepts
  • Properties
  • Soils and Tree Nutrition
  • Soils and Environmental Quality
  • Site Quality Evaluation
    • Soil Drainage and Tree Growth
    • Soil Water and Nutrient Relations in Regards to Tree Growth
    • Impact of Silvicultural Practices (Fertilization, Burning, and Clearcutting).

  ---

  Day 4. Forest Ecosystems Gradients

  • Complex Environmental Gradients
    • Soil, Moisture, and Nutrients
    • Light
    • Forest litter
    • Slope and Aspect Effects
  • Vegetation Attributes Across Gradients
    • Diversity
    • Biomass
    • Productivity
    • Discrete and Continuous Community Boundaries

  ---

  Day 5 Forest Regeneration

  • Artificial
    • Nursery Management
    • Seedling Production and Quality
  • Natural
    • Coppice
    • Shelterwood
    • Seedtree

  ---

  Day 6. Forested Wetlands

  • Wetland Environments and Types
    • Black versus Red Water Systems
    • Alluvial versus Non-alluvial
  • Wetland Biota
    • Adaptation to Flooded Environments
    • Rare and Endangered Species
  • Wetlands Functions and Values
    • Hydrology
    • Productivity
    • Biodiversity
  • Wetland Management (BMPs)

  ---

  

   Day 7. Longleaf Pine Ecosystems

  • Variation in Plant Communities
  • Variation in Site & Soil Characteristics
  • Regeneration
    • Natural
    • Artificial
  • Fire Ecosystem
  • Related Wildlife Communities