Mathieu Lévesque: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2023 |
| Name | Dr. Mathieu Lévesque |
| Address | Gruppe Waldbau ETH Zürich, CHN G 77 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 52 08 |
| mathieu.levesque@usys.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Lecturer |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 061-0103-00L | Plant Ecology   | 2 credits | 3G | T. Galí-Izard, A. Gessler, M. Lévesque, J. Luster, C. A. Medina Novoa, A. Rigling, A. Rudow, T. M. Wohlgemuth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course introduces plant ecology. 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 and WSL. 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 plant ecology 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The fundamental course “Plant Ecology” is an introduction to the field of living systems, starting with the history of ecology, followed by an introduction to plant physiology. The course will also introduce students to the specifics of the rhizosphere, disturbance ecology and forests. Lastly, the course will focus on the specifics of tree structure and function. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 5 "Plant Ecology", 30.10.–09.11.2023 The course is held in English. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 701-0559-00L | Seminar for Bachelor Students: Forest and Landscape | 3 credits | 2S | 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. Students perform literature researches, and train presentation and moderation techniques as well as a constructive feedback culture. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | - To critically analyze and discuss original scientific articles for selected processes and methods in relation to forest and landscape. - Scientific exchange with subject-specific experts. - Learn standard rhetoric and moderation methods through training in the seminar. - Effective feedback regarding the independent development of presentation and moderation competencies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Seminars will deal with the following topics: 1) Biological, ecological and physical processes, and technical aspects in forest ecosystems with effects on the community, ecosystem and landscape; 2) Social and political processes and institutions with relation to land use; 3) Products and services of forest ecosystems and landscapes and 4) Forest management systems. The contributions will be grouped by topics. Furthermore, the seminar teaches rhetoric and moderation methods, which will serve to deepen the above topics through presentations and discussions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | There will be a script for the rhetoric and moderation methods. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 exchange with experts for preparing for the presentation b) Presentation with questions and answers (15-20 min) c) Moderation of the scientific discussion (20-35 min) d) Actively contributing to the feedback of students' presentations, moderation and discussions. The presentations can be made in German or English. We expect a regular and active participation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 701-1635-00L | Multifunctional Forest Management | 5 credits | 2G | M. Lévesque, M. Mayer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | At the end of this course participants will be able: - To describe forest management and silvicultural measures for enhancing forest resilience to climate change, increased disturbances, and invasive species, and evaluate their feasibility and effectiveness in various situations; - To concisely describe silvicultural options for the management of multifunctional forests and critically evaluate their feasibility and suitability; - To explain the various social expectations towards forest ecosystem services and their implications for multifunctional forest management and critically analyse conflicts and synergies resulting from different forest ecosystem services; - To carry out research on a given topic, identify relevant literature and present the results in a structured presentation and discuss the implications for forest management. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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) Forest management under climate change and increasing disturbances. 2) Invasive alien species: Implications for forest management. 3) Non-native tree species: Risks, opportunities and management options. 4) Silvicultural and management options in multifunctional forests. 5) Challenges and silvicultural strategies for wood production. 6) Forest management and biodiversity in temperate forests. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | No class notes or text books Lecture presentations are available for download | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Literature will be provided for the group presentations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. 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 silvicultural systems and multifunctional forest management will be offered during the spring semester 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 with forest practitioners and further consolidate what has been taught in this course. The additional course is an important part of the formation of the Major in Forest and Landscape and is highly recommended. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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