Mathieu Lévesque: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2019

Name Dr. Mathieu Lévesque
Address
Gruppe Waldbau
ETH Zürich, CHN G 77
Universitätstrasse 16
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 52 08
E-mailmathieu.levesque@usys.ethz.ch
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
701-0034-08LIntegrated Practical: Forest Ecosystems Restricted registration - show details 1.5 credits3PH. Bugmann, M. Lévesque, T. N. Sieber
AbstractIntroductory course on field methods in forest ecosystem research and ecosystem management, with an emphasis on regeneration ecology, forest growth and management as well as mortality processes. The course is set up as a comparative study between a low-elevation beech forest and a mixed spruce-fir forest in the northern pre-Alps.
ObjectiveStudents
•- get to know the diversity of forest ecosystems based on case studies
•- understand important processes of forest dynamics (regeneration, growth, mortality) and their significance in an ecosystem context
•- acquire pracitcal skills regarding field methods of forest ecosystem research
•- get to know selected forest management systems
Lecture noteswill be distributed
701-0560-00LPractical "Forests and Landscapes" Information Restricted registration - show details
The lecture "701-0303-00 Waldvegetation und Waldstandorte" is an important background for the excursions "Standortkunde". Participation is strongely recommended.
7 credits14PH. Bugmann, H.‑U. Frey, F. Kienast, M. Lévesque, S. Niedermann-Meier, T. N. Sieber, S. Zimmermann
AbstractIn this practical, students get to know important field and laboratory methods of forest and landscape research as well as landscape management. They apply these methods in the context of small projects. The practical consists of three parts: Ecology (both forest and landscape), Site Classification (soil science & phytosociology), and Land Management.
ObjectiveStudents
- know the most important methods of field research in selected branches of forest and
landscape science
- can apply these methods independently on the context of a project
- are in the position to interpret data from field sampling correctly, and can use them to
answer applied research questions
Prerequisites / NoticeFor this practical, it is recommended that students have some knowledge in the following subjects (besides the core courses of the specialization "Wald und Landschaft"):

- Geographic Information Systems (elective course, 5th semester)
- Site classification (elective course "Site classification and plant communities", 6th semester)
- Knowledge of forest soils (elective course "Ökologie von Waldböden", 6th semester)
- Dendrology and Woody Plants of Central Europe (elective courses)
- Systematic botany (e.g. biodiversity excursions, plant part, 2th semester)
701-0582-00LConcepts of Forest Management3 credits2GM. Lévesque
AbstractConcepts of forest managment
ObjectiveForests and landscape are influenced by the numerous needs of society. Current conditions are largely the result of historical and modern forms of forest management. For a good understanding of these systems and for the development of future, adaptive management concepts, basic knowledge of the former and current concepts of forest management is essential.

Objectives of the course:

Students get an overview over historical and modern forms of forest management. They know the important products and services of forests and landscapes. They are capable to validate the different forms of management, especially regarding their economic efficiencies, their influence on ecosystem functions, processes and structures, habitat quality, biodiversity and negative ecological effects
Content- Historical concepts of forest management, experiences and "lessons learned"
- Goods and services of forests (former and today) basic concepts of forest management (even aged and uneven aged systems, historical forms, multifunctional concepts) - Advantages and disadvantages of the various concepts (economy, ecology, forest and landscape goods and services, environment, habitat quality, biodiversity).
Lecture notesno handout
power point slides are available for download
Literaturenone
Prerequisites / NoticeKnowledge of German and English language required
701-1640-00LSelected Topics of Multifunctional Forest Management3 credits6UM. Lévesque, E. Hussendörfer
AbstractThis optional course builds on the course "Multifunctional Forest Management". It explains and illustrates the 3 most important management systems, i.e. "Swiss Femelschlag", single-tree selection ("Plenterwald") and continuous-cover-forestry ("Dauerwald") systems. In 9 full-day excursions, basic knowledge is presented, illustrated on concrete objects in the forest and put into practice.
ObjectiveIllustrate and consolidate acquired knowledge of multifunctional forest management, especially regarding "Swiss Femelschlag system", "Unevenaged management system (Plenterwald)" and continuous-cover-forestry ("Dauerwald") management system in typical broadleaved forests.
ContentSwiss Femelschlag system
Planning of multifunctional management in Swiss Femelschlag system
Unevenaged management in spruce, fir and beech forests
Transformation of even-aged into unevenaged systems in spruce, fir, beech forests
Dauerwald system in broadleaved forets - opportunities and limits
Lecture notesNone
Lecture notes may be downloaded
Prerequisites / NoticeKnowledge of English and German language required
701-1692-00LInterdisciplinary Project Restricted registration - show details 5 credits8PF. Knaus, S. Dötterl, M. Lévesque, L. Pellissier, S. Tobias
AbstractCapstone course in which students solve complex real-world land-use problems, for which there is no single correct solution. Students work in project teams and take the role of consultants. They integrate the knowledge acquired during their previous studies and deepen their analysis, judgment and writing skills.
ObjectiveThe project-based learning context aims at developing and sharpening the following skills:
- to autonomously solve a real-world problem from the project assignment to the presentation of results,
- to autonomously develop a suitable approach to solve the questions of the project
- to apply, integrate and adapt knowledge and skills from different disciplines,
- to adequately use methods and tools to manage spatial and scalar data,
- to work in a project team and to solve possible team-conflicts.
ContentEach student group is working on a case-study, which is based on a specific problem, defined by cantonal authorities. Students are searching information from literature, developing appropriate approaches, gathering own data, analyzing (geo)data and write a coherent report. Original plans and source documents are available in their original language. Students follow and adapt a systematic problem solving cycle, consisting of:
- capturing and formulation of the problem, goal and scope definition
- capturing of the actual system state
- developing a methodological approach that delivers the results required to solve the problems or questions
- evaluating possible solutions and/or scenarios
- solution proposal and recommendation to decision-makers