FOR1412H F
Instructor: Danijela Puric-Mladenovic
Meeting Section: L0101
May 24 - June 30
In-Person

Forests and natural vegetation, as producers and providers of diverse ecological functions, are also the backbone of biodiversity, sustainability and numerous ecological goods and services. As building blocks of green infrastructure in settled landscapes, they also serve as a natural climate solution and provide the most efficient and sustainable way to combat climate change and environmental degradation. However, vegetation functions, productivity, vulnerability, and resilience to anthropogenic and environmental impacts are the products of its structure, composition, health, environmental condonations, and disturbances, which all need to be measured, quantified, and monitored over time.

This elective course introduces graduate students to the key topics relevant to the conservation, restoration, and management of vegetation and the application and significance of standard, quantitative and geo-referenced vegetation information. The course will demonstrate the importance of sampling and monitoring, quantitative vegetation, and environmental information to practice and research. It will teach students how to utilize strategic sampling and vegetation information to facilitate a range of practical and research applications from a species, plant community, stand, and patch to a landscape level. The specific course objectives are to provide students with 1) an understanding of southern Ontario vegetation, vegetation communities and information, and their application; 2) advanced skills in vegetation monitoring and field sampling; 3) understanding of vegetation informatics and how to expertly collect, record and manage monitoring data; 4) competencies in using, analyzing, summarizing and interpreting vegetation information; 5) skills how to utilize field data in analysis and write a summary of findings 6) knowledge and skills transferable to the job market and research projects.

The course offers an experiential learning opportunity in vegetation sampling, monitoring, analysis, bioinformatics, and vegetation information use. Students will gain functional knowledge and a range of diverse skills transferable to their specific projects and job market. During field sampling, they will also have an opportunity to interact with and learn from the conservation and forestry professionals. Requirements: This is a graduate-level course, and familiarity and knowledge of plants and the ability to identify plants are required. A degree in biology, forestry, landscape architecture, ecological or similar fields is recommended, and introductory plant identification and plant taxonomy skills are considered assets. The course is also open to students outside of Daniels.

The course is restricted to 16 students. The course is a 12-day course running from May 24 to June 30.

• Lectures and field sampling preparation will be virtual from May 24 to May 27.
• Five full field days will be at The Koffler Scientific Reserve at Jokers Hill from May 30 to June 3 in (in-person)
• Post-filed lectures and analysis will be on June 7th, 11th and 21st (evenings to accommodate MFC internships – virtual.