Principles and operations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applied to forestry and natural resources. Students will learn to collect necessary field data to create GIS maps and digital spatial data sets, perform basic spatial analysis, and integrate social and economic data to solve spatially related natural resource problems.
Students will learn to assess the physical environment of forested ecosystems by examining soil-plant-water relationships across a variety of landscape settings. Class will be conducted in an outdoor forest setting often in steep terrain and inclement weather.
This is a practical course designed to provide students with knowledge and skills related to the collection of forest inventory data and the preparation of a forest inventory report required to manage forests and natural resources. Students will become familiar with statistical concepts used in forest measurements; use mapping and navigation procedures to locate sampling areas; conduct forest inventories; and develop inventory reports. Class will be conducted in an outdoor forest setting often in steep terrain and inclement weather.
A study of the silvicultural practices for altering the forest canopy and regenerating the forest. Students will learn to apply these practices to meet multiple use objectives such as forest products, wildlife, health and protection, watershed, and recreation and develop silvicultural prescriptions. Class will be conducted in an outdoor forest setting often in steep terrain and inclement weather.
This practicum will provide students with an understanding of how forest operations are planned, implemented, and integrated into silviculture and forest management. Experiential learning will be provided on topics such as planning and design of timber harvests, marking of forest stands for harvest, evaluating the effects of harvesting, use of herbicides and pesticides, tree planting, and the implementation of prescribed burns. Class will be conducted in an outdoor forest setting often in steep terrain and inclement weather.
An experiential learning opportunity designed to introduce students to basic concepts of forest wildlife management. Become familiar with common techniques to determine wildlife presence and relative abundance. Learn how forest management practices can directly and indirectly impact many wildlife species and their habitats in Kentucky. Understand how forestry and wildlife professionals manipulate forests to meet wildlife management and biodiversity conservation objectives at various spatial scales. Learn the direct and indirect impacts of some wildlife species on forest management.
The use of field experience as an educational complement to classroom work. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits which are to be used as electives.
The use of field experience as an educational complement to classroom work. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits which are to be used as electives.
The use of field experience as an educational complement to classroom work. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits which are to be used as electives.
Review the ethical foundations of conservation biology, discuss the scientific evidence that illustrates recent rapid loss of biological diversity at multiple spatial and temporal scales, identify and elaborate on the causative factors of biodiversity loss, discuss various strategies for conserving biodiversity, and discuss ways that various human cultures and associated resource use influence non-human life and the human societies that depend on them.
