In Forest Ecology and Management, students will apply biological and ecological concepts to forest ecosystems, focusing on how forests are affected by and provide for human landscapes. First, students will build an understanding of the elements within forests and the factors and processes influencing them. Then, students will use current ecological research and management examples to
examine contemporary challenges to trees and forests that stem from global change (e.g. climate shifts, landscape fragmentation, pollution, introduced species) as well as forests’ resilience and potential for restorative processes. Field and computing labs will focus on assessing forest patterns, functions, key demographic features, biodiversity, and carbon storage dynamics. Measurements will be drawn first-hand from UM-SEAS’ Saginaw Forest, our primary study site throughout the term. Students will gain skills in direct vegetation measurement, sampling design, reading primary literature, and environmental data synthesis. Labs will additionally provide practice with tools for field data visualization and analysis in R. All students will complete an in-depth independent study using primary scientific literature. Graduate students will further apply their study and the concepts discussed toward the development of a
research proposal or land management plan for an existing forest site of their choice.