At the end of the course the student will be able to: a) describe the principles of operation and the use of the main dendrometric instruments; b) illustrate the methods of measuring the diameter and height of a tree or a sample of trees in the context of the forest; c) set out the procedures for the elaboration of dendrometric measurements that allow the quantitative evaluation of the main characteristics of a forest stand: species composition, density, site fertility, age, structure, wood volume, yield and productivity; d) know the objectives of a forest management plan and the main parts of which it is composed.
Through practical activities in forest and in the computer room the student will learn how to perform: the delimitation of a sample area, the measurement of the diameters of the trees and of the relative height, numbering tests angular, the extraction of woody cores. He will also be able to process the measurements carried out using a spreadsheet software in order to estimate dendrometric variables.
The acquired knowledge will enable the student to choose, based on the objectives of the survey and the type of forest, the dendrometric instruments to be used for the various measures to be performed and the consequent procedures for processing the data collected.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to draw up a report that illustrates with text, tables and graphs the methods of survey and the characteristics of the forest stand where he carried out the measurements.
The set of activities carried out in the course will allow the student to be aware of the role that dendrometry plays in supporting silviculture and forest management.