Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2021 - REM 471 D100

Forest Ecosystem Management (4)

Class Number: 1918

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 1:00–5:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of REM 100, or GEOG 100 or 111, or EVSC 100 or BISC 102; and 45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Forests are critical components of the earth system and provide diverse ecological services. They are also a source of conflict regarding their conservation and use. Students will examine the problems of managing forest ecosystems for a variety of societal goals and objectives. We begin by examining the ecological characteristics of forest ecosystems and follow with a focus on the objectives and tools of forest management. The final section of the course will examine institutions, economics, and policy related to forests, with a focus on British Columbia's historical and current management issues. This course will involve lectures, group discussions, field trips, and exercises.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this survey of current issues in forest ecosystem management, students will examine the problems of managing forest ecosystems for a variety of societal goals and objectives. We will work from the premise that forest management is to a large extent, people management. The course will start with an entry level overview of trees, the ecological characteristics of global forest ecosystems and their dynamics. There will be a special emphasis on the forests of British Columbia. The second section will focus on the history and political ecology of silviculture as a discipline of resource management, with its objectives and tools of forest management. This will be followed by a tour through the ecosystem management paradigm shift. The final section of the course will focus on the current controversies, institutions and policies of managing forest ecosystems in an era some are calling the Anthropocene. This course will take place synchronously on Zoom and involve lectures, group discussions, a substantial group project, and individual field journal assignments.

* We will be meeting from 3:00-5:00 pm synchronously. The remainder of the hours will take place asynchronously and arranged during the first week of class.

Grading

  • Weekly Reading Responses 25%
  • Forest Observation Field Journal 25%
  • Group Forest Management Plan and Class Presentation 30%
  • Global Forest Profile 10%
  • Forest Roundtable Discussion Facilitator Summaries 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 1994. Plants of coastal British Columbia. Lone Pine Press

David Haskell. 2013. The Forest Unseen: A Year’s Watch in in Nature

Puettmann, Klaus J. K. David Coates, Christian C. Messier. 2008. A Critique of Silviculture: Managing for Complexity

Marris, Emma. 2013. Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post Wild World

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).