Mathieu Lévesque: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Name	Dr. Mathieu Lévesque
Address	Gruppe Waldbau ETH Zürich, CHN G 77 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND
Telephone	+41 44 632 52 08
E-mail	mathieu.levesque@usys.ethz.ch
Department	Environmental Systems Science
Relationship	Lecturer

Number	Title	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
061-0103-00L	Ecology and Plant Sciences Only for Landscape Architecture MSc. Course languages are English and German.	2 credits	3G	T. Galí-Izard, N. Buchmann, C. Buser Moser, A. Gessler, N. Guettler, A. Guggisberg, F. Kienast, M. Lévesque, A. Rudow, B. Wehrli
Abstract	This course introduces ecology and plant sciences. Through lectures, exercises and excursions, students will gain a broad vision of the cutting edge topics that are being researched and studied at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH, Eawag, WSL and others. This will be the base for a future dialog between the field of landscape architecture and the field of sciences.
Learning objective	Students acquire basic knowledge in ecology and plant sciences focusing in its application in the field of landscape architecture. Temporal and physical scale, research methods, units of measurement, lexicon, modes of representation and critical literature form the framework for the joint discourse. Students will develop a graphic language in order to integrate this knowledge into design.
Content	The fundamental course “Ecology and Plant Sciences” is an introduction to the field of living systems, starting with the history of ecology, followed by an introduction to general terrestrial ecology, plant systematics, taxonomy, evolutionary biology, and basic notions of landscape ecology. A more specific approach to Swiss ecologies will follow with a concentration on grassland systems, aquatic systems and forests. Finally, the course focus on the specifics tree structure and function, and plant physiology.
Lecture notes	Course material will be provided.
Literature	The course material includes a reading list.
Prerequisites / Notice	The fundamental course is organized with the Fundamental Studio I as a joint two-week module. The weekly schedule is provided with the course documents. Module 4 "Ecology and plant systems", 5.10.-16.10.20 The course is held in English or German.
701-0559-00L	Seminar for Bachelor Students: Forest and Landscape	3 credits	2S	H. Bugmann, M. Lévesque, E. Lieberherr
Abstract	Interdisciplinary seminar on forest and landscape issues with particular emphasis on the key processes shaping the development of forest ecosystems and landscapes.
Learning objective	- To analyze scientific original articles and other complex materials critically and to present the results in an understandable way. - To understand selected processes, cases and methods related to forest and landscape issues. - To be able to analyze problems related to forest ecosystems and landscape from the viewpoint of various disciplines.
Content	Biological, ecological, physical and technical processes with impacts on the community, ecosystem and landscape scale. Social processes and institutions with relation to land use. Products and services of forest ecosystems and landscapes. Forest management systems. The contributions will be organized around topical clusters.
Lecture notes	No script available.
Literature	Literature references will be provided by the lecturers.
Prerequisites / Notice	The credits are assigned if the following requirements are met a) independent literature research on the topic and use of these references for the presentation b) oral presentation of the topic (15-20 min + discussion) c) assessment of another topic ("Korreferat", 5 min, will be assigned) The presentations can be made in German or English. We expect a regular and active participation.
701-1635-00L	Multifunctional Forest Management	5 credits	2G	M. Lévesque, S. Zimmermann
Abstract	Forests provide a variety of ecosystem goods and services. Multifunctional forest management attempts to control natural processes in a sustainable and near-natural way so that various requirements from the society can be met. Adaptivity to changing conditions (global changes), handling of conflicting goals and the development of alternative management strategies are of central importance.
Learning objective	- To understand and evaluate forest management and silvicultural measures aim to enhance forest resilience to climate change, increased disturbances and invasive species. - To know silvicultural strategies and solutions for the management of multifunctional forests. - To understand the various social expectations towards forest functions and their implications for forest management and evaluate the requirements to meet the different expectations. - To distinguish conflicts and synergies resulting from different forest functions. - To evaluate segregative and integrative forest management approaches for biodiversity conservation.
Content	The course will cover important topics for the sustainable management of multifunctional forests and present silvicultural strategies to fulfil a variety of forest ecosystem goods and services. Current and future challenges of forest management will be presented. The course is structured into the following sub-topics: 1) Climate change and adaptive forest management. 2) Invasive species: implications and mitigation measures 3) Introduced tree species: risks and opportunities 4) Silvicultural and forest management options to fulfil multi-dimensional ecosystem goods and services. 5) Challenges and silvicultural strategies for wood production. 6) Integrative and segregative forest management approaches for biodiversity conservation.
Lecture notes	No class notes or text books Lecture presentations are available for download
Literature	Reading assignments are given in class A bibliography of cited literature will be available
Prerequisites / Notice	Course language is English. Prerequisites: Sufficient English language skills In addition to the lectures, students need to attend 4 all-day field excursions. Excursion topics: Forest management and climate change, Nature-based silvicultural concepts; Soil protection and forest management; Continuous cover forestry. The excursions will take place on the following days in Autumn semester 2020: Saturday 3 October, Tuesday 13 October, Friday 6 November, Saturday 14 November. Participation at all 4 full-day excursions is a prerequisite for the credits. Excursions are held in English, German and French (some German and French knowledge is good to have). Additional field excursions focusing on the Swiss femelschlag system, the Plenter- and other uneven-aged systems will be offered during spring term in the optional course "Selected Topics of Multifunctional Forest Management". 9 all-day field trips will provide the possibility to consolidate theoretical knowledge, to apply it to real examples in the field, to discuss and further consolidate what has been taught in this class. The additional course is an important part of the overall formation on forest management and is highly recommended.