These skills contribute to your success both in college and in the workplace. In order to be able to orient oneself in the field and conduct forest inventories, the course emphasizes map reading, compassing, and equipment use. This entry-level course concentrates on the identification of local forest vegetation in the summer and winter conditions. The environmental requirements of the major shrub and tree species are introduced. The course examines the relationship between a tree species occurrence and its morphological and silvical characteristics.
Consideration is given to the dynamics and succession of forest ecosystems.
Stand structure and landform association provide a basis for silviculture and ecosystem classification. The role of forest fire is also studied. This course explores the characteristics of common forest soils with emphasis on the physical and biological features. Students spend a majority of time in the field examining soil texture and profile and the physical geography of the landscape. Orienteering oneself, in the forest, using compass and aerial photos are practiced.