Special attention is given to forest policy development with respect to tropical regions. In addition to giving an overview of current international programmes with respect to forestry development, each year a specific subject of recent interest is treated in an exemplary way. Students are graded on basis of the paper. Lecture notes will be available at the course. Steering the developments in the forest stand towards a desired situation presupposes a clear definition of the desired state and a long-term view on the work to be done, as well as knowledge of the reactions of the forest on interferences.
Every interference has to fit into a coherent schedule.
The design made will be analysed as regards functioning according to the objectives, and on factors such as stability, biodiversity, sustainability, efficiency and effectivity. Starting point of the design preferably is a real forest stand. The designing work can be done either with help of a computer or by hand. The design finally is compared with the current silvicultural philosophy, placed in the context of historical developments. The course offers lectures as well as an excursion and a field training to assess the actual conditions in the stand adopted as a starting point for the activity of designing.