COURSE OUTLINE Numerical course code MI.1076 Title Energy forestry (Short-rotation forestry) Faculty/Department ME Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology Amount of credits (1 ECTS = 26 hours) 6 ECTS Amount of credits (before 31.08.2009) 3,5 CP CP*1.5 (before 31.08.2009) 5,25 Duration in semesters 1 Final assessment Differentiated APEL can be used for this course Yes Objectives During the course the students will acquire knowledge about assessing the suitability of different fast- growing tree and shrub species for energy forestry in various site and climate conditions. After graduating the course, the student will know the technology and silviculture of establishing, tending and harvesting different woody energy crops. The student will know legislation related to energy forestry, grants and subsidies for land owners and will be able to assess the social, economical and ecological aspects of energy forestry. Learning outcomes At the end of the course, the student: - knows the ecological and economical aspects of energy forestry; - knows the biology and management of various tree and shrub species used in energy forestry; - knows the legislation related to energy forestry; - can establish and tend energy plantations and knows how to harvest energy plantations. Brief description The following subjects are treated during the course: The concept of energy forestry; energy forestry in Estonia and in the world; energy forestry, global warming, C-cycling, environmental and forestry politics; economical and ecological basis of short-rotation forestry; tree and shrub species suitable for energy forestry; establishment, tending and harvesting of woody energy plantations; plant-soil relations in energy forests, fertilization; vegetation conservation in energy plantations; environmental impacts of energy plantations; willow plantations; local tree species for energy forestry; hybrid aspen plantations. Excursions to short-rotation plantations of various tree and shrub species will take place during the course. 1/1.