Subject description
1)selected chapters from physiology of forest trees
2)selected chapters from conservation biology and ecology
3)selected chapters from physiology and ecology of symbioses
4)structure and function of tree roots and root symbionts
5)carbon dynamics in forest soils and interactions in the mycorrhizosphere
6)biogeochemical cycles, water in the soil, physiology of mineral nutrition
7)physiology of growth and development; forest reproductive material
8)(myco)bioindication of stress in forest trees and forest ecosystems
9)monitorings of changes in forest soils and populations of forest trees
The subject is taught in programs
Objectives and competences
The course aims to deepen the understanding of the physiology of forest trees, functioning and biology of forest soils, interactions in forest soils and mycorhizosphere, mineral nutrition of forest trees, water relations of forest trees, the importance of mycorrhiza for growth and development of forest trees and functioning of forest ecosystems, biodiversity in forest soils and diversity of mycorrhizal fungi, mycobioindication of stress in forest ecosystems, the basics of conservation biology and ecology, and monitoring of changes in forest soils and populations of forest trees.
Students will gain competencies in the area of selected chapters, critical evaluation and integration of knowledge in forest management practices and use of natural resources and scientific research, methodology, references and ethics of scientific research in the chosen field.
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures take place in the traditional manner using a computer and the Internet. Exercises or research work may involve visits to field research plots and are organized in areas that coincide with further education or research interests and needs of students. The student shall prepare a seminar, based on his/her interests and present it individually in the most appropriate manner.
Expected study results
Knowledge and understanding:
Integrating knowledge into sustainable forest management and detail silvicultural planning under climate change conditions, the effects of management on forest soils and ecosystems, the complexity of bioindication of stress in forest ecosystems and complex monitorings of the state and development of forests.
Critical evaluation of concepts of forest management, their regeneration with planting and seeding, the importance of forests in the global carbon cycle, the importance of biodiversity and bioindication of forest health.
By studying domestic and foreign literature and the use of internet browsers the student shall improve the ability to selectively use libraries and documentation databases, as well as basic information and practice of molecular databases.
Basic sources and literature
TAIZ L., ZEIGER E. 2006. Plant Physiology 4th ed., Sinauer assoc. USA, 764 pp.
WAISEL Y., ESHEL A., KAFKAFI U. 2002. PLANT ROOTS. THE HIDDEN HALF. 3rd ed., Marcel Dekker inc., New York, Basel. 1120 str.
KRAIGHER H. 1996. Tipi ektomikorize – taksonomija, pomen in aplikacije = Types of ectomycorrhizae – their taxonomy, role and application. Zb. gozd. lesar., št. 49, str. 33-66
SMITH SE, READ DJ. 2008. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis, 3rd Ed. Acad. Press, London, 800 str.
COLEMAN DC, CROSSLEY DAJr, HENDRIX PF. 2004. Fundamentals of Soil Ecology, 2nd Ed. Elsevier, London, 385 str.
DIGHTON J. 2003. Fungi in Ecosystem Processes. Marcel Dekker, New York, 432 str.
BUSCOT F, VARMA A (Eds.). 2005. Microorganisms in Soils: Roles in Genesis and Functions, Springer, Heidelberg, 419 str
GUREVITCH J, SCHEINER SM, FOX G. 2006. The ecology of plants, 2nd ed., Sinauer assoc., USA, 574 pp.
URBANČIČ, M., SIMONČIČ, P., PRUS, T., KUTNAR, L.. Atlas gozdnih tal Slovenije. Ljubljana: Zveza gozdarskih društev Slovenije: GV: Gozdarski inštitut Slovenije, 2005. 100 str., ilustr. ISBN 961-6142-13-5.
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