ASM62230: and Agroforestry

Brief description of aims and content

The objective of this module is to provide knowledge on silviculture applied to agroforestry, use of suitable multipurpose tree species, improvement of tree harvests and crop production through the use of appropriate silvicultural practices and agroforestry technologies at local, regional and global level.

8. Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. Define and describe silvicultural practices applied to agroforestry;
2. Understand strategies for optimising land use productivity using appropriate agroforestry technologies;
3. Understand the principles of tree improvement in agroforestry;
4. Understand beneficial uses of Multiple purpose trees (MPT) in agroforestry systems,
5. Understand the potential of trees and their major uses, in relation to direct (wood and non-wood products) and indirect benefits (services) they provide to the community and to the ecosystem;
6. Understand and recognize the relationship between trees and other components in agroforestry systems;
7. Have an overview of forestry and forestry research, in relation to demands of renewable energy, reducing deforestation and forest degradation, reforestation and forest conservation.

1. Cognitive/Intellectual skills/Application of knowledge

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Analyse and evaluate the proper use of trees and other components in different agroforestry and land use systems;
2. Apply principles of tree improvement for suitable trees to agroforestry;
3. Apply different silvicultural technics to improve productivity of trees and other components of agroforestry systems.

1. Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Carry out silvicultural treatments and manage multipurpose agroforestry systems;
2. Design an agroforestry project and implement it;

1. General Transferable skills

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Advise on suitable silvicultural practices in various agroforestry systems

1. Communication, ICT and numeracy skills

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Establish database relevant multipurpose trees for various agroforestry systems

1. Autonomy, responsibility and working with others

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Use suitable silvicultural treatments in managing various agroforestry systems

9. Indicative Content

Silvicultural practices for agroforestry tree species :Tree nursery practices; intermediate and regeneration treatments (beating up, weeding, cleaning, pruning, thinning, clear-felling, salvage cutting, improvement cutting, sanitation cutting, pollarding, etc.)

Forestry and agroforestry research in the tropics: Status of forest resources in Rwanda and other countries in the region, research findings on suitable agroforestry systems and tree species; interactions between trees and other components of agroforestry systems

Multipurpose tree species: Silvics of relevant multipurpose tree species in various agroforestry systems (identification, propagation, planting, silvicultural treatments and management, harvesting)

Tree improvement for suitable agroforestry systems: Selection of suitable agroforestry tree species (exotic and indigenous); seed collection and handling (elite trees), progeny and provenance tests

10. Learning and Teaching Strategy

(1)   Lectures

(2)   Self-study and assignments related to lecture topics

(3)   Field practical exercises and field reports

(4)   Seminar presentation

11. Assessment Strategy

The module will be assessed on the basis of mid-term assessments (short written exam on each component) which will account for 40% of the final mark. Continuous assessment including three assignments, field reports and seminar presentation shall account for 60%. Students are required to achieve a pass mark on all mid-term assessments and assignments.

12.Assessment Pattern

Background Texts (include number in library or URL) (inc.ISBN)

Boudru, M. 1992. Foret et sylviculture : Boisements et Reboisements artificiels. Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux

Evans J & J Turnbull, 2004.Plantation Forestry in the Tropics (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

ICRAF, 1991 (Wood, P.T., Burley, J.) A tree for all reasons-the introduction and evaluation of multipurpose trees for Agroforestry. ICRAF, Nairobi

Nwoboshi, L.C. 1982.  Tropical  Silviculture : Principles and Techniques. Ibadan University Press

Nyland, R. D. 2002 Silviculture: Concepts and Applications, 2nd Edition. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. New York. 704 pp. ISBN 0-07-366190-2

Webb, D. B., Wood, P.J., Smith J. P. and Henman, G.S. 1984.A guide to Species selection for Tropical and Sub-tropical plantations. Tropical Forestry Papers no. 15. Oxford University