UGA Bulletin

Course Description

An introduction to the practice of forest and natural resources sustainability. Through the understanding of social, ecological, cultural, and economic dimensions of forest and natural resource sustainability, students will gain the knowledge necessary to analyze complex forest and environmental issues and to identify effective actions needed to address them.

Athena Title

Introduction to Forestry

Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in FORS 1000

Non-Traditional Format

This course will be taught 95% or more online. Two lectures per week using asynchronous video presentations captured using Kaltura Capture, and one 1-hour discussion period each week live, through Zoom, to discuss the topics in these lectures.

Semester Course Offered

Offered spring

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of the semester students should be able to describe the practice of forestry and forest stewardship, and how forest management can lead to a sustainable natural resource system.
By the end of the semester students should be able to describe the current technology of forest management and socio-economic outcomes of forest management, and understand basic principles and methods used by foresters in achieving landowner and societal objectives.
By the end of the semester students should be able to describe the anatomy and physiology of trees, growth dynamics, and natural and anthropogenic influences on forest development.
By the end of the semester students should be able to describe the the role and place of humans in the broader landscape and gain a broader understanding of human use of the land.
By the end of the semester students should be able to describe the various forest regions of the world, the timber and non-timber products derived from forests, the policies that influence forest management, and conservation and business ethics related to the management of forests.

Topical Outline

1.1ntroduction to the course
2. History of forestry, forests in the current world context
3. Forests of the world
4. Forest landowners
5. Forest landowners objectives and constraints
6. Forest products-commodities (lumber, paper, chemicals)
7. Forest products-non-timber (wildlife, biodiversity, aesthetics, water)
8. Forest recreation
9. Forest ecosystem services
10. Forest wildlife habitat development, manipulation, and models
11. Measuring forest conditions
12. Mapping, aerial photographs, satellite images
13. Lasers, LiDAR, GPS
14. Tree anatomy
15. Tree physiology
16. Forest dynamics-communities, competition, succession
17. Forestry practices
18. Forest harvesting systems
19. Forest economics
20. Forest disturbance and health
21. Forest policies and external pressures
22. Forest certification
23. Urban forestry
24. Forestry conservation and business ethics
25. Forestry careers

Institutional Competencies

Social Awareness & Responsibility

The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.

Syllabus

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Introduction to Forestry and Sustainable Resource Management