Forest Phytology

This degree programme prepares students for professional careers in materials science with a focus on wood and wood-based materials, as well as in the experimental development of new wood-based materials and in the application of new knowledge about wood in products – structures, buildings, furniture, and so forth. The programme aims to build an understanding of the theoretical foundations of the field, develop skills in the experimental and computational techniques used in wood research, and provide advanced knowledge and skills.

In this programme, emphasis is placed on collecting and analysing dendrometric variables using ground and remote sensing methods, modelling forest growth and dynamics, studying the influence of habitat and climatic conditions, and subsequently on solving theoretical and practical problems, and their sub-disciplines. This field involves modern methods of data collection, the application of decision-support systems, mathematical modelling and growth simulators, and assessing the impact of harmful factors on forest production and management.

The degree programme expands students’ understanding of professional disciplines such as genetics and the breeding of woody forest plants, seed production, nursery maintenance, the establishment and cultivation of forest stands, the establishment and cultivation of woody vegetation or forests under specific conditions, intensive forest plantation management, agroforestry, and so forth. The programme emphasizes current issues in forestry and silviculture (choice of woody plants, natural regeneration, growth of woody plants, etc.).

The programme focuses on basic and applied research in the field of phytopathology, woody species protection and mycology, with emphasis placed on both forest ecosystems and woody species growing outside the forest. It mainly involves research, education and scientific training on issues relating to the pathogens, saprotrophs and endophytes of woody species, as well as the diversity of the mycobiota of forest ecosystems. Students will gain experience in applying standard microbiological and molecular biological methods.

The Forest Ecology doctoral programme focuses on the interrelationships between organisms and abiotic factors and disturbances in forest ecosystems. The programme emphasises a systemic approach that is important for understanding the mechanisms affecting the spatial distribution of organisms, population dynamics, and energy and matter flows and transformation. The forest is thus understood not only as a wood producer, but also as an ecosystem able to maintain high levels of biodiversity, provide protective soil functions etc.

The aim of this degree programme is to expand and improve students’ knowledge of the scientific disciplines of landscape engineering and structures to fulfil forest functions, especially in the areas of landscape water management, forestry structures, the integration of structures into the landscape, wooden structures in landscape creation and protection, landscape and spatial planning, landscape ecology, and landscape revitalization, including the restoration of streams.