Stephan Zimmermann: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021

Name Dr. Stephan Zimmermann
Address
WSL
Zürcherstrasse 111
8903 Birmensdorf ZH
SWITZERLAND
Telephone044 739 22 66
E-mailstephan.zimmermann@usys.ethz.ch
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
701-1635-00LMultifunctional Forest Management Information 5 credits2GM. Lévesque, S. Zimmermann
AbstractForests 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.
ObjectiveAt the end of this course students 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 functions and their implications for multifunctional forest management and critically analyse conflicts and synergies resulting from different forest functions;

- 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.
ContentThe 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) Global 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 the provisioning of 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 notesNo class notes or text books
Lecture presentations are available for download
LiteratureLiterature will be provided for the group presentations.
Prerequisites / NoticeCourse 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 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 with forest practitioners and further consolidate what has been taught in this course. The additional course is an important part of the overall formation on forest management and is highly recommended.
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesassessed
Techniques and Technologiesassessed
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesassessed
Decision-makingassessed
Problem-solvingassessed
Project Managementassessed
Social CompetenciesCommunicationassessed
Cooperation and Teamworkassessed
Leadership and Responsibilityassessed
Self-presentation and Social Influence assessed
Personal CompetenciesCreative Thinkingassessed
Critical Thinkingassessed
Integrity and Work Ethicsassessed