BASF 481 - Advanced Resource Assessment

5 credits

Prerequisites
Admission to the BAS-FRM program or instructor permission.

This course builds on the basics of resource assessment covered in previous courses. Students will be exposed to advanced methods of resource inventory and analysis used in natural resource management and research. The first part of the course will focus on advanced methods of forest inventory, including: big BAF/multi-BAF cruising, 3-P sampling, check cruising, and dendrochronology. The second part of the course will focus on assessing a range of non-forest resources, including: aquatic/riparian habitats, fish populations, entomological surveying, invasive species surveying, and environmental health assessment. This course will also include advanced methods of data analysis and important statistical concepts or resource assessment.

Theory Hours
3 theory hours.

Guided Practice Hours
4 guided practice hours.

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

utilize cutting-edge techniques to assess and inventory various natural resources, such as: timber products, non-timber forest products, wildlife populations/habitats, and ecosystem services.
calculate & analyze statistical characteristics of natural resource datasets, and use statistics to develop informed resource management strategies.
design inventory methods to assess unique and complex natural resources and create written specifications for sampling procedures in the field.

Note
BAS-FRM degree course.