Northern Forests Field Ecology

Field examination of natural history of northern/boreal forests with respect to soils, ecological characteristics of trees, community-environment relationships, stand development, succession, and regeneration ecology. Taught at Cloquet Forestry Center.

This course introduces students to the natural history of forests of the Great Lakes region with respect to soils, ecological characteristics of trees, community-environment relationships, stand development, succession, and regeneration ecology. As a part of this course students work in a variety of pine, boreal, and hardwood forest types in and around the Center. Students learn to describe forest communities in terms of soils, microclimate, age, structure, biodiversity, history, productivity, and successional stage. Students may also tour active harvesting operations and/or forest research projects in the region. This course culminates in a group independent research project. Grading is based on written papers, in-class activities, and a group oral presentation. This is a Fall semester course. Registration begins on April 9 for students to the FNRM major and May 1 for non-degree and visiting students.