GSForest courses and seminars - general information:

GSForest courses and seminars are open for PhD students, postdocs and researchers in the branch of GSForest. Sometimes the number of participants is limited; then the GSForest PhD students and PhD students from co-operationg doctoral programmes will get the priority.

There is no participating fee for GSForest courses. GSForest covers the travelling and accommodation expenses of active full-time GSForest PhD students participating in the GSForest courses and seminars (i.e. both GSForest-fund PhD students and matching-fund PhD students who have reported their progress to GSForest annually and have follow-up group). Participants who are not GSForest members have to cover their travelling and accommodation expenses by themselves.

For the international PhD courses abroad, for example for NOVA PhD courses, the active GSForest members can apply GSForest internationalisation grants

Course registration form

List of courses and seminars planned for 2012

(will be updated during the year): More info of the courses below on this page!

*Biorefining: Principles and technologies, MOVED TO AUTUMN 2012 in Joensuu
*Advanced Forest Biometrics with R, May 7-11, 2012 in Joensuu - REGISTRATION OPEN
*NOVA PhD course: Peat soils and peatlands in Nordic countries, August 5-10, 2012 in Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station, in Korkeakoski, Finland- REGISTRATION OPEN
*Managing forest ecosystems for multiple benefits - methods for economic analysis, September, week 36, 2012 in Helsinki
*SIER PhD Course: Stable Isotopes in Environmental Research,September 9-15, 2012 in Kuopio - REGISTRATION OPEN
*Concepts within forest ecosystem modeling, September 24-29, 2012 in Joensuu - REGISTRATION OPEN
*GSFOREST autumn seminar, autumn 2012

NOVA University Network : "Based on the belief that together we are stronger, NOVA offers joint Nordic specialized courses and programmes within the disciplines of forestry, veterinary and agricultural sciences. NOVA courses and programmes are planned, run, and taught by leading Nordic teachers and researchers that have come together in NOVA networks. Their cooperation ensures that teaching is based on latest scientific results using adequate teaching methods. "

NOVA SoilSOC PhD course supported GSForest
Peat soils and peatlands in Nordic countries (3ECTS), August 5-10, 2012
Hyytiälä Forest Field Station, address Hyytiäläntie 124, 35500 Korkeakoski, Finland

Main teachers: Juha-Pekka Hotanen, Finnish Forest Research Institute; Kirsi Lauren, University of Eastern Finland; Tarja Lehto, University of Eastern Finland; Lars Lundin, Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences; Tord Magnusson, Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences; Hlynur Oskarsson, Agricultural University of Iceland; Anne Tolvanen, Finnish Forest Research Institute; Eeva-Stiina Tuittila, University of Eastern Finland; Harri Vasander, University of Helsinki; Markku Yli-Halla, University of Helsinki

Introduction: Peatlands are very common in all Nordic countries and they are known to accumulate more organic matter than other soils due to excess water and reduced decomposition rates. They also have particular microbial processes such as methane production that are not found in well-drained soil types, but are relevant for the global carbon balance; methane is an efficient greenhouse gas.
Peatlands are a very large carbon stock globally, however, both land management and global warming can cause reductions in the carbon stored in peat. Drainage for agricultural and forestry usage enhances peat decomposition, although the increased photosynthetic binding of CO2 to growth counteracts this. It is still quite poorly known which effect is larger, as it depends strongly on the site type and the efficacy of the drainage. Drainage can also cause major discharge of organic matter and nutrients to freshwater, and increase flooding risks in the spring.
Peatlands are particularly important for biodiversity, with the especial vegetation and harbouring of mammal, bird and reptile species cannot be forgotten. Other ecosystem services provided by peatlands include recreation, gathering of berries and hunting. The cultural dimension and aesthetic value of an undisturbed peatland landscape are also significant.

Registration and detailed information of the course HERE.

PhD course supported by GSForest and EnSTe
Biorefining: principles and technologies (5 ECTS) autumn, 2012 (contact learning part)

University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, Joensuu Campus
Several national and international teachers

NOTE: THE TIME OF THE COURSE IS CHANGED TO AUTUMN 2012. FOR FURTHER INFO CONTACT suvi.kuittinen (@) uef.fi

Place: Auditorium BOR100, Address: School of Forest Sciences, Borealis building (Y9) , Yliopistokatu 7, 80100 Joensuu
Times: 8:30 - 15:30

The course is based on blended learning procedure and contains distance learning parts (pre-course and after-course assignments, Moodle, learning portfolio) and a contact learning part on April 23 - 27, 2012. Accepted active participation in contact learning part and both distance learning parts gives the 5 ECTS.

Contact learning part on April 23 - 27, 2012
Biorefining, the bioeconomy and business strategy
• Introduction to the principles of biorefining as driver for a future Biobased Economy
• General overview of the current status and developments within the field of biorefining
• Biofuel-driven Biorefinery Systems and LCAs

Distance learning part
Biorefinery concepts
• Biorefinery in Practice
• Biotechnology for a more sustainable production of chemicals
• Lignocellulosic Feedstock Biorefinery

Distance learning part
LignoCellulose biomass to platform intermediates
• Biomass pretreatment
• Enzyme technologies in lignocellulosic biorefining
• Lignin chemistry and applications
• Upgrading and valorization routes for hemicellulose streams

Registration of PhD students HERE (registration is obligatory!) and info about the compensation of the travelling and accommodation expenses of active GSForest PhD students: see the top of this page.

GSForest PhD course
Advanced Forest Biometrics with R (2 or 4 ECTS), May 7-11, 2012

University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, Joensuu Campus
Main teacher: Assistant Prof., Docent Lauri Mehtätalo, University of Eastern Finland with Senior Researchers Seija Sirkiä and Jari Miina, Finnish Forest Research Institute

Place: Computer room BOR102, Address: School of Forest Sciences, Borealis building (Y9) , Yliopistokatu 7, 80100 Joensuu
Times: 8 - 17

Course flyer

The course is planned for PhD students who are making statistical and numerical analyses with R. The prerequisites for a successful completion of the course are:

1. basic knowledge on mathematical statistics and statistical methods
2. basic skills in the use of R-software

Thus, the course is planned for PhD students that have basic knowledge on random variables, linear models and some experience on linear mixed-effect models. The course participants should have similar level of knowledge than students after taking Master's course in Forest Biometrics, see the course material.

Pre-course assignments:

Lauri Mehtätalo 2010: Forest biometrics with examples in R . Those who have not taken Mehtätalo's course on Forest Biometrics, are expected to read the book and especially the sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5.2, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1 and 3.2 before the course and take a look at the related exercises also available at the website.

Those who are familiar with the topics but not with R-software, are expected to read the manual Introduction to R on www.r-project.org.

Tentative program: Each morning and afternoon session includes a 1.5-2 hour lecture, followed by exercises in the classroom. The exercises are finalized and reported within one month after the course. Active participation in the intensive week gives 2 ECTS and the reporting the exercises gives additional 2 ECTS (4 in total). Support, hints and advices to the exercises is available through email or other similar means.

Tentative timetable:

Link to the course registration form (registration is obligatory!) and info about the compensation of the travelling and accommodation expenses of active GSForest PhD students: see the top of this page.

Deadline for registration is April 23, 2012.

SIER2012 PhD Course supported by NordSIR, GSForest and EnSTe
Stable Isotopes in Environmental Research (4 ECTS) September 9-15, 2012 in Kuopio
University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus

Confirmed lectures: Per Ambus (Technical University of Denmark), Daniel Epron (Nancy University), Tobias Rütting (University of Gothenburg), Marja Tiirola (University of Jyväskylä), and Christina Biasi (University of Eastern Finland). A number of other national and international experts will participate

Organized by the Biogeochemistry group, Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland (Kuopio campus), PhD Christina Biasi and Prof. Pertti Martikainen

Course flyer

Course content: Many ecological processes produce a distinct isotopic fingerprint. This fingerprint can be used to trace the origin and movement of the substances involved in the processes, to track metabolic or environmental changes and thus to understand complex processes taking place in ecosystems. Stable isotope techniques can provide essential information in environmental research, and are as such a powerful tool.

Objectives: The course will give a broad overview on the stable isotopes of key elements in environmental research, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. It intends to introduce stable isotope ecology, stable isotope language and methodology. The students learn specific isotopic techniques to study carbon and nitrogen cycling.

Modes of study: During the course lectures on stable isotopes will be given (carbon, nitrogen and water isotopes) and specific topics will be introduced (e.g. tracer studies, stable isotope applications in food webs, SIP). The course includes exercises on sample preparation for stable isotope analyses, operating a state-of-the-art isotope ratio mass spectrometer (Finnigan Delta Plus IRMS) and associated peripherals (elemental analyzer, GC, pre-con) the interpretation of the results, and calculation exercises.

The course includes 35% lectures, 35% practical classes, 15% workshops and 15% seminars.

Study materials: A reading package will be provided prior to the course.

Application and Registration: Students should send their application including a brief CV (max. 1 page) and a letter of motivation to Christina.Biasi@uef.fi prior to 31.5. 2012. Only 25 students are taken in this course.

Students of NordSIR from foreign institutes may apply for travel grants for this course (http://www.jyu.fi/nordsir). Travels and accommodation are covered for students belonging to supporting Doctoral Programmes GSForest and EnSTe. Please indicate your funding plan in your application. The selection is made by the end of June and students are informed of the decision by e-mail.

More information will be available in spring on http://www.jyu.fi/nordsir
Contact person: Christina.Biasi@uef.fi

GSForest PhD course
Concepts within Forest Ecosystem Modeling (2ECTS) September 24 – 28, 2012
University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, Joensuu Campus

Place: Lecture room announced later
Times: 8:30 – 11:30 and 12:30 – 16:00

Teacher: Univ.Prof.Dr. Hubert Hasenauer
Institute of Silviculture, Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, BOKU, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna,Peter Jordan Straße 82, A-1190 Vienna/Austria

Course flyer

Introduction and Objectives:
Ecosystem models are designed to reproduce, quantify and describe forest ecosystem processes. Conflicting interests such as simplicity, observability and biological realism must be addressed to ensure a well balanced modeling approach. Within Forest ecosystem research, three major concepts have been developed and successfully applied:
(1) Forest management models
(2) Succession models
(3) Biogeochemical models (BGC-Models)
The objective of this class is to introduce the different concepts, explain the main components, address advantages and disadvantages in assessing specific end-user needs, and to discuss possible improvements to enhance the different modeling approaches.

Contents and time schedule:
- From the complexity of forest ecosystems to the abstraction of forest ecosystem models
- Management models: yield table theory vs. tree growth models, conceptual approach and application. Demonstration of the tree growth model MOSES.
- Gap models: Theory and application, differences vs. management and mechanistic models
- Biogeochemical-mechanistic models (BGC-Model): structure, data needs and application to simulate the flux of nitrogen, carbon, water and energy through forest ecosystems. Demonstration of a climate interpolation tool and a BGC Model.
- Other modeling theories including application examples: e.g. neural networks, etc.
- Summary and final discussion of the different approaches.

Grading of the course:
A positive written exam will be necessary with grading accepted/not accepted. The time will be fixed with the students.

Registration (obligatory) form: http://elomake.joensuu.fi/lomakkeet/3810/lomake.html
Deadline for registration is September 10, 2012.

GSForest covers the travelling and accommodation expenses of active GSForest PhD students. See detailed info at the top of this page.