Overview

1. Forest Health – What is a healthy forest?
2. Introduction to the problems in the forest: biotic, abiotic and interactions, particularly with climatic factors.
3. The Disease Triangle – a useful concept when addressing forest health
4. A systematic view of problems I: Pseudofungi - Phytophthora
5. A systematic view of problems II: Real fungi - Ascomycota
6. A systematic view of problems III: Real fungi – Basidiomycota
7. Insects - The basics
8. Insects on the move: Global trade and change
9. Acute Oak Decline: a major threat to UK oak
10. Policy and social aspects of forest health
11. Monitoring forest health
12. Immediate and future (known) threats
13. Managing for resilience of future (unknown) threats

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Grade D- to D+. Have a basic understanding of tree and forest health issues, show a basic knowledge of the conditions and organisms involved in different pest and disease severity

-good -Grade C- to B+. As above but at a higher level of understanding and be able to demonstrate evidence of reading original papers rather than grey literature digests.

-excellent -Grade A- and above. As above but extensive level of knowledge and understanding and evidence of widespread use of both current and historical literature.

Learning Outcomes

• Critical understanding of different management and control options for long term tree-crops and natural forest ecosystems

• Critical understanding of environmental factors which determine the development of pests and diseases

• Critical understanding of the organisms likely to harm trees and their broader significance

• Critical understanding of the reasons for spread of, and success of, organisms causing forest health issues

• General understanding of the likely effects of climate change on forest health