FORE218-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025

Forest Biology

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 February 2025
End Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 2 March 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 11 May 2025

Description

Systematic botany of forest trees and biology of New Zealand indigenous forest species. Principles of ecology with an emphasis on population, community and ecosystem factors affecting New Zealand’s forests. Science and management of forest pests, disease, wind, fire, biosecurity and risk.

This course provides an overview of forest biology including plant systematics, ecology and forest health, with a focus on both native and exotic forests and forest species.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will have:

  • An appreciation of the relationships amongst plant species, especially trees;
  • An understanding of the biology and ecology of New Zealand’s indigenous forests and their dominant tree species;
  • An appreciation of the cultural significance of native plants and animals to Māori;
  • An understanding of forest health issues associated with New Zealand’s production and conservation forests;
  • An appreciation of the basic ecological role of invertebrates, vertebrates and fungi in indigenous and exotic forest systems;
  • The ability to identify key New Zealand native and exotic tree species and insect orders;
  • A good familiarity with the major plantation forest invertebrate pests and diseases.
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Biculturally competent and confident

      Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

FORE111 and BIOL112; or subject to approval by the Chair Board of Studies. RP: BIOL111 (BCHM111), and/or BIOL113, and/or BIOL116

Restrictions

FORE202

Recommended Preparation

BIOL111 (BCHM111), and/or BIOL113, and/or BIOL116

Timetable 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 09:00 - 10:00 F3 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 11:00 - 12:00 Rehua 329
17 Feb - 23 Mar
31 Mar - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 13:00 - 14:00 F1 Lectorial
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Lecture D
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 14:00 - 15:00 F3 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Lab A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 14:00 - 17:00 Forestry 152
17 Feb - 30 Mar
28 Apr - 1 Jun

Lecturers

Steve Pawson and Sarah Wyse

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Fieldwork Data Collection Competency 10%
Cultural Importance of Forest Biota 10%
Mid-Term Test 25%
Plant ID Test 10%
Insect ID Test 10%
Community Ecology Report 10%
Mid-Year Exam 25%


There is a compulsory field trip (see General Notes below) and this provides the source of 75% of the in-term assessment for this course. If you miss the field trip without a valid reason, you may not be allowed to sit the final exam.

Textbooks / Resources

There is no required text for this course, but relevant references may be placed on reserve in the Engineering and Physical Sciences Library for specific lectures.

Students will require the following book for the field trip:

Dawson, L. & Lucas, R. (2000). Nature Guide to the New Zealand Forest. Random House, Auckland (available from UBS for $45).

All other course material will be made available using Learn.

Notes

For any enquiries about the course please approach Jeanette Allen - School Coordinator.

This course has a field trip of one week in the Westport region - including travelling time. Firm dates are set by November of the preceding year - the field trip will always take place during the break between Terms 1 and 2. Information on the trip is handed out in class.

Good wet weather clothing and tramping/hiking boots are required for the field trip.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $2,818.00

International fee $11,874.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Limited Entry Course

Maximum enrolment is 42

For further information see School of Forestry .

All FORE218 Occurrences

  • FORE218-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025