Content
Topic Introduction
To design a plantation or forest we need to answer several basic questions, such as, what function we need from the forest? What type of the forest can fulfill the function? How to design the planting pattern? This topic introduces main aspects that have to be considered for a plantation design: forest function, forest type, and afforestation model.
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
- Define forest function.
- Classify forest type.
- Design an afforestation model.
Readings
Required Readings
Supplementary Materials (Optional)
- Textbook: Juian Evans, John W. Trunbull. Plantation Forestry in the Tropics: The Role, Silviculture, and Use of Planted Forests for Industrial, Social, Environmental, and Agroforestry Purposes. Oxford University Press, 2010.
Self-check Quiz (For certificate learning)
Now take a little time to complete an online self-check quiz after finishing required readings and viewing each lecture for this topic. The main purpose of the quiz is for you to self check how well you grasp the fundamental concepts covered in the required readings and lectures for this topic. You will have 5 mins to complete the quiz. You can attempt as many times as you like until you get the full mark.
When you are ready, click the link Self-check Quiz 1.3 or go to left menu > Quizzes > Self-check Quiz 1.3 to start taking the quiz.
Activities & Assignments (For certificate learning)
Online Discussions
Online Group Discussion 1
We will start our first group discussion this week, i.e. Online Group Discussion 1: Your understanding of silviculture. Several aspects should be considered when conducting a discussion about silviculture. It is better to follow a logical order as the following:
- Concepts of silviculture, plantation, afforestation, reforestation, deforestation and their relationships.
- Objectives of silviculture and its relationship with forest function and forest type.
- Theoretic bases of silviculture.
- Technical system of silviculture.
Since it is a group discussion, the role of group leader is very important. The group leader has the duty to monitor and organize the discussions. You can follow the logical order provided above and encourage your group members to actively participate the discussion. After completing the discussion, you should make a summary and share it with your group members. You may need to revise it if your group members make some suggestions. Then you can submit it. Be sure to both submit it in ‘Online Group Discussion 1 (Instructor Review)’ dropbox for instructor grading and post it in ‘Online Group Discussion 1 – Group Summary’ forum for cross-group commenting.
Please be reminded to check the Course Schedule that:
About how to organize or participate in the group discussion and the grading, please refer to the detailed descriptions of Assignment Overview and Online Group Discussions.
Graded Assignments
Assignment 1: Site Inventory Report
You should finish your Assignment 1: Site Inventory Report, and then submit it through ‘Assignment 1’ dropbox on Day 5 of this week. It is due by 23:59pm on Day 5 of this week (PST). If you have any questions on the assignment, you can ask them in the ‘General & Assignment Questions’ class forum. The instructor will answer your questions in a timely manner.
Topic Summary
Plantation design includes several steps. Firstly, define the function of the plantation. Secondly, define an appropriate forest type to meet the function of the plantation. Finally, define an afforestation model in terms of main tree species, accompanying tree species, species composition, species mixture, spacing, planting hole, seedling quality, beating up, irrigation, tending, thinning.
Self Review (For self learning)
Please use the self-reflection questions below as a study guide to conduct self-review for the topic:
- List the forest functions.
- List the forest types.
- Match forest types to the forest functions.
- What factors should be considered in the design of afforestation model for timber plantation?
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