Gardening and Forest Landscaping

Ability to recognize, understand and use the principles of gardening, as well as the importance of landscape in forestry and current techniques related to design and management.

Ornamental plants; lawns and plantings; conservation techniques and maintenance of green spaces; technical planning and management of landscapes; methods of conservation and maintenance of natural and rural landscapes

Contents are developed in accordance with the following themes:

Gardening block
Program theory:
1. The ornamental plants: classification of plant material; nomenclature of cultivated plants; Horticultural classification; climate and soil needs; Functions; aesthetic attributes; selection procedures; species suitable for different conditions of climate and environment.(4 hours)

2. Lawns and plantings. Lawns (generalities turfgrass species: morphology, development, constraints, specificities; mixtures). Plantations (process and operations; preparation; fertilization; weed control; holes, time, specific needs); urban plantations: specific needs, holes, securing woodland). (5 hours)

3. The conservation and maintenance of green spaces. The maintenance techniques: work, characteristics, frequency, time, machinery and equipment required; recommendations; programming; pruning of ornamental trees and shrubs. (3 hours)

Practical program
1. The Recognising of ornamental plants: conifers, hardwoods, trees, shrubs, climbing plants and ornamental ground covers. Students must perform a digital herbarium at least 50 species of ornamental use, including cultivars. (4 hours)
2. Applying of NTJ of ornamental plant quality. (1 hour)
3. Scheduling of gardening activities. (1 hour)

Forest Landscaping Block
Program theory
4. Technical planning and landscape management; comprehensive approach to landscape issues, recognizing the variables that determine its dynamics; decision making for the conservation of natural values; basics of planning and landscape management; planning of urban and rural environment in their functional and technical aspects, recognizing the value of sociological, ecological, historical and economic conditions. (4 hours)
5. Methods of preservation and maintenance of natural and rural landscapes
Recognition of the landscape units. Introduce students to the issues related to a macro scale of the landscape. Train them in recognizing the units with which the macro-landscape and techniques to acquire knowledge and land information to include any decisions within an overall environmental system is structured. (4 hours)
6. The importance of landscape in forest harvesting
Detection of conflicts between homogeneous areas and further processing by the design and / or planning; training in the management and preservation of the landscape at regional level; reflecting on the sustainable exploitation of resources against the need to conserve. (4 hours)

Practical program
5. Analyse and study the different landscape units in Galicia; factors contributing to landscape diversity in Galicia; most significant differences between coastal and interior landscapes. (2 hours)
6. Learn the methods and models used in the study of landscape and its valuation; different methods of study and assessment of the landscape; direct methods and indirect methods; subjectivity of valuation methods used in the landscape. (2 hours)
7. Knowledge of the main national and international legislation related to the landscape. (2 hours)

Bibliography of gardening:
Basic
Brickell, C. 1990. Enciclopedia de plantas y flores. The Royal Horticultural Society. Ed. Grijalbo, Barcelona.
Merino Merino, D., J. Ansorena Miner. 1998. Césped deportivo. Construción e mantemento. Dpto. de Agricultura e Medio Ambiente, Diputación Floral de Guipuzkoa.
Naves Viñas, F., J. Pujol Solanich, X. Argimon de Vilardaga, L. Sampere Montillól. 1992. El árbol en jardinería y paisajismo. Ed. Omega, Barcelona.
Normas Tecnológicas de Jardinería y Paisajismo (NTJ). 1993-2014. Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Técnicos Agrícolas y Peritos Agrícolas de Cataluña.
Ros Orta, S. 1996. La Empresa de Jardinería y Paisajismo. Conservación de espacios verdes. Ed. Mundi-Prensa, Madrid.

Webs
-Arbolapp. Guía de los árboles silvestres de la Península Ibérica y Baleares. CSIC/FECYT. Accesible en: http://www.arbolapp.es/
-Sánchez de Lorenzo Cáceres, J.M. Árboles ornamentales. Accesible en: https://www.arbolesornamentales.es/

Complementary
Krüssman, G. 1986. Manual of cultivated broad-leaved trees & shrubs. Vol. I-IV. Timber Press. Oregón.
Walter, S.M. y col. (Ed.) (1986-2000). The European Garden Flora. A manual for the identification of plants in Europa, both out-of-doors and under glass. Vol. I-VI. Cambridge University Press. Oregón.

Basic bibliography of Forest Landscaping:

Ambroise, R. 2000. Agriculteurs et paysages: dix exemples de projets de paysage en agriculture. Educagri, cop. Dijon.
Azevedo, J.C., Perera, H., Pinto, M. Alice. 2014. Forest Landscapes and Global Change: Challenges for Research and Management. Springer-Verlag, New York. 262 pp.
Bolós, M. De (Dir.) 1992. Manual de ciencia del paisaje. Teoría, métodos y aplicaciones. Ed. Masson. Colección de Geografía. Barcelona. 273 pp.
Convenio europeo del paisaje, aprobado en Florencia el 20 de octubre de 2000 a propuesta del Consejo de Europa, entrando en vigor el 1 de marzo de 2004.
Boyer, C.R. 2015. Political Landscapes: Forests, Conservation, and Community in Mexico. Duke University Press, 360 pp.
Lei 7/2008, do 7 de xullo, de protección da paisaxe de Galicia.
Perera, H., Sturtevant, B.R., Buse, L.J. 2015. Simulation Modeling of Forest Landscape Disturbances. Springer International Publishing, 321 pp.
Rodríguez Iglesias, F. (1998). Atlas de Galicia. Hércules Ediciones, S.A. A Coruña.


Due to the thematic diversity and the amplitude of the existing complementary bibliography, it will be detailed in the Virtual Campus, in the corresponding thematic block.

In this subject the student will acquire a number of generic skills desirable in any university degree and specific of general engineering or forestry in particular. Within the framework of competencies that are designed for certification, they work the followings:

Basic, general and generic skills
CG2 - Ability to analyze the structure and function of ecological systems and forest resources, including landscapes
CG6 - Ability to measure, inventory and assess forest resources, implement and develop silvicultural techniques and management of all types of forestry systems, parks and recreational areas, as well as harvesting techniques and non-timber forest products timber
CG7 - Ability to solve technical problems arising from the management of natural spaces

Generic skills
CT1 - Capacity for analysis and synthesis
CT2 - Capacity for reasoning and argumentation
CT3 - Ability to work individually with self-critical attitude
CT5 - Ability to obtain adequate, diverse and updated information
CT6 - Ability to develop and present an organized and understandable text
CT12 - Ability to solve problems through the integrated application of knowledge

Specific skills
CETEEF5 - In this competition, the subject is taught: the ability to recognize, understand and use the principles of gardening
CETEEF9 - Forest Landscaping

The subject corresponds to the first semester of the third year of the Degree in Technical Forestry and Natural Environment Engineering. The theoretical part will be taught in master classes in which the basic contents will be explained in such a way that an active participation of the students is possible. The practices carried out during the course are mandatory and will help the student to better understand the theoretical part. The practical work that the students must carry out during the course will facilitate and reinforce the learning of the contents of the subject. There will be a mandatory and scoring practical trip to carry out a global study of a certain area (region, council, public garden, historical garden, ...).
An individual or group analysis of different types of green spaces and landscapes can help to a better understanding of the subject, both in terms of design and landscape management and the adequacy of the plantation, poor maintenance, etc., in a green area.

The competencies worked are the following:
Lectures.- CT2, CETEEF5, CETEEF9
Practices.- CG2, CG6, CG7, CT1, CT3, CT5, CT6, CT11, CT12
Group tutoring.- CT2

All necessary information on the matter, and the material used in the theoretical and practical teaching, web links, forum discussions, exercises for learning the art and developments in the field of gardening and landscaping, will be available for students in the Virtual Campus of USC. Space also enables it to deliver jobs that will take charge to the student.

Students will examine the theoretical part of the subject through a written exam that will take place on the dates approved by the center, and that it will be necessary to pass each of its parts, to pass the subject. In the part corresponding to Gardening, there will be a practical exam on the identification of ornamental species, which it will also be necessary to pass to approve the subject as a whole. The requirements to pass the subject on the second opportunity will be the same as for the first opportunity, the student will have to pass the failed tests / exercises / assignments. The practices are compulsory attendance. Students must carry out the practical work that is proposed during the course. Students who repeat will not have to do the practices again the first year. In case of failing a part of the subject, the part passed during an academic year will be kept. In case of suspending a second time, they will repeat the whole subject.
The weights of each part in the final grade, as well as the competencies evaluated are the following:
Written tests (50%): competences CETEEF5, CETEEF9, CT1, CT2, CT12
Works delivered and / or exposed (50%): competences CG2, CG6, CG7, CT5, CT6

Regarding the overcoming of the subject in extraordinary opportunities (Regulations for the evaluation of academic performance of students and review of qualifications of the USC): Students must take the theoretical part of the subject by means of a written exam that it will be necessary to pass in order to pass the subject. In the gardening part there will be a practical exam on the identification of ornamental species, which will also need to be approved to pass the subject as a whole. The practices are compulsory attendance. Students must complete and pass all practical work.
Students who are exempt from attending any of the teaching activities scheduled for work or family conciliation, will have to abide by the provisions of Instruction 1/2017 of the General Secretariat. In these cases, to pass this subject it is compulsory to attend the practical activities that are indicated in the class schedule and programmed in the Teaching Guide. The actions of the professors of the subject will be governed, in any case, by the Regulations for the Evaluation of the Academic Performance of the students and the review of qualifications of the USC, approved in the Governing Council of June 15, 2011 (DOG, 21 July) and modified by the Resolution of April 5, 2017 (DOG, May 8).

In cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations for the evaluation of the academic performance of students and the review of grades will apply.

The matter represents a total of 112.5 hours computable, distributed as follows:

a) Distribution of classroom teaching
24 hours lectures
12 hours interactive classes
2 hours of individual tutorials

b) Personal work of the student. In total, students must devote 74.5 hours to study the contents of the subject and understanding and carrying out practical work.

This is an optative subject in which participate two areas of knowledge, Agroforestry Engineering and Plant Production. The subject will have a broad vision which affects the study and conservation of the landscape at the regional level, also address the study on a smaller scale, at local level (rural and urban), the foundation for the creation and maintenance of parks and gardens. Students will study a subject that encompasses aesthetic and sensitive aspects in the perception of the landscape but also implies a deep knowledge of the physical elements. Attendance and active participation in classes and queries doubts in tutorials is recommended.
It is important to complete the contents explained in class by consulting the basic and additional bibliography. Finally, they should approach the study of ornamental plants from a very practical point of view, individually or as a group, learning to recognize the outputs to parks and gardens, watching their employability.