Course Topics

The course topics would build from the ecological (and legal) basis of natural forest management in the tropics, through harvesting and harvest impact assessments, to silvicultural treatments designed to increase stocking and growth of commercial species. They are organized into 12 modules. Each module typically consists of Introduction & Outcomes, Required & Optional Readings, Fundamental Concepts, Online Quiz, Online Discussions (for certificate learning), Topic Summary, Self Review (for self-learning), and a Graded Assignment (for certificate learning).

Module 0. Course Orientation

Course outline/syllabus
Course schedule
Course requirements
Assignment details

Module 1. Stage Setting

Topic 1: Course Philosophy, Approach, and General Expectations
Topic 2: Roles of Tropical Forest Managers and other Relevant Decision Drivers

Module 2. Values of Natural Forests: Harvested Products

Topic 1: Wood and Wood Products
Topic 2: Bark and Bark Products
Topic 3: Other Non-Timber Forest Products

Module 3. Values of Natural Forests: Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity

Topic 1: Biodiversity
Topic 2: Ecosystem Services I: Hydrology and Local Climate Moderation
Topic 3: Ecosystem Services: Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change Mitigation

Module 4. Tropical Forest Plant Growth Forms Related to Natural Forest Management

Topic 1: Trees
Topic 2: Shrubs
Topic 3: Vines and Lianas (i.e., Climbers)
Topic 4: Epiphytes and Hemiepiphytes
Topic 5: Palms
Topic 6: Grasses and other Graminoids
Topic 7: Forbs (=Broadleaved Herbs)

Module 5. Plant and Forest Ecosystem Water, Carbon, And Nutrient Relations

Topic 1: Water Relations
Topic 2: Light and Photosynthesis
Topic 3: Nutrient Relations
Topic 4: Fire
Topic 5: Plant Reproduction

Module 6. Forest Types as Related to Their Management

Topic 1: Primary, Secondary, and Degraded Forests
Topic 2: Lowland, Hill, and Montane Forests
Topic 3: Freshwater Swamp Forests
Topic 4: Mangrove Forests
Topic 4: Forests on Extremely Nutrient-Poor Soils

Module 7. Pre-Harvest Management Activities

Topic 1: Relevant National, State, and Local Regulations
Topic 2: Site Assessment
Topic 3: Topographic Maps
Topic 4: Harvesting as a Silvicultural Treatment
Topic 5: Harvest Plans

Module 8. Harvest and Transport of Forest Products

Topic 1: Tree Felling Tools and Techniques
Topic 2: Timber Yarding
Topic 3: Harvesting Schedules
Topic 4: Haul Roads and Log Landings
Topic 5: Forest Product Protection

Module 9. Ecological Effects of Timber Harvesting

Topic 1: Collateral Damage to Trees and Their Responses
Topic 2: Changes in Above-Ground Forest Structure
Topic 3: Effects on Soils
Topic 4: Hydrological Impacts
Topic 4: Biodiversity Impacts
Topic 5: Carbon Impacts

Module 10. Promoting Natural Regeneration of Commercial Species

Topic 1: Protecting Future Crop Trees (FCTs)
Topic 2: Sources of Regeneration
Topic 3: Resprouting of Damaged Plants
Topic 4: Regeneration Requirements
Topic 5: Natural Regeneration-Promoting Silvicultural Treatments

Module 11. Artificial Treatments to Increase Stocking of Commercial Species

Topic 1: Planting Materials
Topic 2: Site Preparation and Planting
Topic 3: Enrichment Planting
Topic 4: Environmental and Economic Concerns About Plantation Forestry

Module 12. Treatments to Increase Growth, Yields, And Forest Product Quality

Topic 1: Weed Control
Topic 2: Thinning
Topic 3: Pruning
Topic 4: Measuring and Reporting Growth Rates
Topic 5: Environmental Impacts of Stand Improvement Treatments

Module 13. Forest Landscape Planning

Topic 1: Spatial Considerations in Forest Landscape Planning
Topic 2: Tradeoffs to Consider in Forest Landscape Plans