SylbV01-00-00. pmd

Minor Courses
Courses from Forest Biology and Tree Improvement
06
or Forest Products and Utilization
Supporting Courses
FOR 610*
I
Research Methodology in Forestry
2+1
FOR 611
II
Research and Publication Ethics
1+1
SAF 691*
I/ II Doctoral Seminar
1+0
SAF 692*
I/ II Doctoral Seminar
1+0
ii)
Thesis Research
SAF 699
Doctoral Research
0+75
*Compulsory Core Courses

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Forestry–Silviculture and Agroforestry
553
Course Contents
Ph.D. (Forestry) in Silviculture and Agroforestry
I. Course Title
: Quantitative Silviculture
II. Course Code
: SAF 601
III. Credit Hours
: 2+1
IV. Aim of the course
To educate students with regard to forest stand growth and yield, quantitative
techniques used for evaluating site quality, measuring stand density, predicting
forest growth and yield.
V. Theory
Unit I
Principles of tree and stand growth and yield. Habitat types; site quality; site
index.
Growth functions – empirical, exponential, allometry and Backman’s growth
functions. Growth pattern and growth increment curve. Growth cycle and phases.
Quantifying site quality: Methods – tree and stand height data, periodic height
growth. Techniques – guide curves, difference equations, parameter prediction.
Unit II
Stand density and stocking, measures of density: –3/2 power rule of self-thinning, point
density, competition indices. Control of growing stock to achieve specific management
objectives – growth-growing stock relations, Full site occupancy, Onset of competitive
interactions. Langsaeter’s hypothesis, stand density index and techniques for
translating this understanding into rational density management regimes.
Unit III
Techniques: stand density management diagrams and stocking charts. Construction
and use of stand density management diagrams. Designing density management
regimes to suit specific management objectives.
Unit IV
Predicting growth and yield: normal and empirical yield tables, stand growth and
yield equations, stand table projections. Simulation models: whole-stand models,
size-class distribution models, single tree/ distance independent and distance-
dependent models, process models, linkage of models at different levels. Evaluation,
calibration, verification, and validation of forest growth and yield prediction systems.
Introduction to existing forest growth and yield simulators.
VI. Practical
• Assessment of growth characteristics;
• Preparation of growth and increment curves;
• Site quality assessment, Stand density diagrams;
• Growth prediction models;
• Yield simulation techniques.

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Restructured and Revised Syllabi of Post-graduate Programmes
Vol. 1