Note from June 29, 2020
Although we do not yet know how long the social distancing related to the Covid-19 pandemic will last, and regardless of the changes that had to be made in the evaluation of the June 2020 session in relation to what is provided for in this learning unit description, new learnig unit evaluation methods may still be adopted by the teachers; details of these methods have been - or will be - communicated to the students by the teachers, as soon as possible.
Although we do not yet know how long the social distancing related to the Covid-19 pandemic will last, and regardless of the changes that had to be made in the evaluation of the June 2020 session in relation to what is provided for in this learning unit description, new learnig unit evaluation methods may still be adopted by the teachers; details of these methods have been - or will be - communicated to the students by the teachers, as soon as possible.
3 credits
37.5 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Jonard Mathieu (coordinator); Vincke Caroline;
Language
French
Prerequisites
Subjects / titles of prerequisite courses: Introduction to forest sciences
Main themes
- Valuation of forest based on net present value concept knowing the timing of expenditures and revenues
- Optimization of forest management based on profitability criteria (including the internal rate of return)
- Formation of timber prices on the market
- Estimation of the value of non-market forest goods and services
- Elaboration of forest policy
- Main legislative and institutional instruments implemented in Wallonia
- Analysis of some components of the forest international regime, at European, Paneuropean and global level
- Optimization of forest management based on profitability criteria (including the internal rate of return)
- Formation of timber prices on the market
- Estimation of the value of non-market forest goods and services
- Elaboration of forest policy
- Main legislative and institutional instruments implemented in Wallonia
- Analysis of some components of the forest international regime, at European, Paneuropean and global level
Aims
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 |
a. Contribution de l'activité au référentiel AA (AA du programme) 2.1 2.2 2.4 2.5 5.1 5.4 5.5 5.6 6.2 6.5 6.6 6.7 b. Formulation spécifique pour cette activité des AA du programme (maximum 10) At the end of this course, the student should be able to : - Identify the main actors in forest economics (wood industry) and explain their respective interdependence and their regional and international role ; - Calculate the market value of a tree or a stand according to various methods ; - Calculate the net present value of a tree plantation based on the timing of expenditures and revenues ; - Briefly describe several methods for assessing non-market values ''of forests and propose a practical implementation in a particular case ; - Compare the profitability of different management scenarios (or investments) using appropriate criteria depending on the objectives assigned to the forest; - Specify how the tax and legal constraints affect the profitability of forestry investments and mention the uncertainties potentially affecting this profitability; - Estimate the value of a forest ownership or the indemnity associated to a damage caused to the forest based on a brief description of it, write a report justifying how the value was obtained, orally present and defend the report ; - Contribute to formulation of relevant forest policies in order to answer to social demands for forest good and services; - Understand the functioning of the international forest regime and of international strategies related to conservation and use of natural resources and be able to interpret factors influencing forest policies; - Position his/her activity as future manager of natural patrimony in the legislative and institutional framework of Wallonia and the international forest regime; - Summarize and present main legislative and institutional instruments implemented in Wallonia in the framework of forest policy; - Exercise critical thinking in order to identify strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities associated with these different instruments. |
The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
Content
1. Contents
1.1 Forest Economics
1.1.1 Stakeholders in the wood sector
1.1.2 Forest goods and services
1.1.3 Calculation of the net present value of a forest
1.1.4 Value of forest ownerships
1.1.5 Optimization criteria of forest management
1.1.6 Timber market
1.1.7 Accounting for the uncertainties in profitability calculation
1.1.8 Impact of subsidies, taxation and legislative constraints on profitability
1.1.9 Forest expertise
1.2 Forest Engineering
1.2.1 Forest harvesting systems
1.2.2 Manual and mechanized felling and associated operations: machinery, methods, advantages / disadvantages
1.2.3 Logs removal:
- Skidding, cableways, horse: machinery, accessories, conditions of use,efforts
- Selection criteria (field conditions, hardwood / softwood etc.)
- Forest roads
- Other service roads (compartmentalisation of exploitation etc.)
- Machinery / soil interactions: risks, solutions
1.2.4 Timber transport: road, rail, inland waterways
1.2.5 Forest works: soil preparation, afforestation and reforestation, protection ...
2. Complementary explanations (if needed)
1.1 Forest Economics
1.1.1 Stakeholders in the wood sector
1.1.2 Forest goods and services
1.1.3 Calculation of the net present value of a forest
1.1.4 Value of forest ownerships
1.1.5 Optimization criteria of forest management
1.1.6 Timber market
1.1.7 Accounting for the uncertainties in profitability calculation
1.1.8 Impact of subsidies, taxation and legislative constraints on profitability
1.1.9 Forest expertise
1.2 Forest Engineering
1.2.1 Forest harvesting systems
1.2.2 Manual and mechanized felling and associated operations: machinery, methods, advantages / disadvantages
1.2.3 Logs removal:
- Skidding, cableways, horse: machinery, accessories, conditions of use,efforts
- Selection criteria (field conditions, hardwood / softwood etc.)
- Forest roads
- Other service roads (compartmentalisation of exploitation etc.)
- Machinery / soil interactions: risks, solutions
1.2.4 Timber transport: road, rail, inland waterways
1.2.5 Forest works: soil preparation, afforestation and reforestation, protection ...
2. Complementary explanations (if needed)
Teaching methods
The lectures are interspersed with small exercises or issues involving the notions previously presented in the course. In addition, students are encouraged to interact with the professors and with external stakeholders.
Regarding forest economics, students have to carry out a project and to make a report and an oral presentation. The objective is to put the students in a situation commonly encountered by foresters.
For the "Forest Engineering" part, 4 hours of seminars will be given by a forestry expert, in the hours reserved for this course on schedule. No excursions are planned but some aspects of this course will be illustrated in the Silviculture and "Tournée forestière" classes.
Regarding forest economics, students have to carry out a project and to make a report and an oral presentation. The objective is to put the students in a situation commonly encountered by foresters.
For the "Forest Engineering" part, 4 hours of seminars will be given by a forestry expert, in the hours reserved for this course on schedule. No excursions are planned but some aspects of this course will be illustrated in the Silviculture and "Tournée forestière" classes.
Evaluation methods
Regarding forest economics, students are evaluated on:
(i) involvement in the course (solving small exercises, interactions with the professor and external stakeholders)
(ii) an expert report for assessing the value of a forest ownership and the oral defense thereof,
(iii) a written examination (theoretical questions + problem solving).
For the "Forest Engineering" part, the evaluation is carried out on the basis of a 1-hour written examination (theoretical questions and problem solving).
The final score of the exam is calculated based on weighted mean of the scores of both parts (in proportion to the numbers of hours).
(i) involvement in the course (solving small exercises, interactions with the professor and external stakeholders)
(ii) an expert report for assessing the value of a forest ownership and the oral defense thereof,
(iii) a written examination (theoretical questions + problem solving).
For the "Forest Engineering" part, the evaluation is carried out on the basis of a 1-hour written examination (theoretical questions and problem solving).
The final score of the exam is calculated based on weighted mean of the scores of both parts (in proportion to the numbers of hours).
Other information
This course is given in French.
Bibliography
- Economie forestière : présentation ppt et syllabus mis à disposition dans Moodle
- Politique forestière : supports disponibles dans Moodle
Pour la partie "Génie forestier", les supports utiles au cours sont disponibles sur le site Moodle 1 jour ou 2 avant le cours en question.
Teaching materials
- Economie forestière : présentation ppt et syllabus mis à disposition dans Moodle
- Génie forestier : powerpoints disponibles dans Moodle
Faculty or entity
AGRO
Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)
Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Master [120] in Forests and Natural Areas Engineering
