Forestry

course outline

Topics

• PREAMBLE

  The Senior High School Forestry Syllabus has been structured to assess candidates' knowledge of forestry and forest conservation. It will also assess candidates' knowledge and skills in forestry practices that will form the basis for sound tertiary education in forestry and also make them employable in the forestry industry and related disciplines.

• Basic concepts of forest and forestry

  Meaning of forest and forestry, differences between Forestry and Agriculture, business aspects of forestry, functions of the forest, types of plants in the forest, local and botanical names of timber trees, and description of plant habitats and types of plants found in various habitats. Types of animals found in the forest and their habitats.

• Introduction to Forest Ecology

  Covers the concept of forest ecology, forest ecosystems, and ecosystem functions. It includes knowledge of the characteristics of the forest environment, physical components, meaning of forest ecology, meaning and types of ecosystems, major components and their functions, food chains, food webs, producer-consumer relationships, symbiotic associations, saprophytes and epiphytes. Ecosystem functions (Regulation, supporting, cultural) and effects of good and degraded ecosystems on health.

• Ecological Zones

  Examines vegetation zones, factors affecting vegetation distribution, and forest types. It includes characteristics of major vegetation zones in West Africa, comparisons of zones, typical plants and animals, and plant/animal associations. Factors affecting vegetation distribution (climatic, edaphic, biotic), comparison of Tropical High Forest, Savannah, Coastal Scrub, and Grassland, characteristics of virgin, secondary, natural, and artificial forests, and land use practices. Characteristics of Tropical, Temperate Coniferous, and Arctic forest types in relation to latitude, relationship between temperature and latitude, and characteristics and distribution of angiosperms and gymnosperms.

• Introduction to Wildlife

  Covers the concept of wildlife, wildlife resources in Ghana, identification of wildlife species (common and scientific names), importance of wildlife (socio-economic, environmental, forestry, tourism, scientific research), endangered, rare, and common wildlife species with reasons, types and examples of wildlife reserves in Ghana (National Parks, Game Production Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Strict Nature Reserves), their features and locations, and wildlife management practices associated with reserves and zoos, and protection of game reserves.

• Plant parts and Tree Identification

  Focuses on plant morphology, anatomy, and tree identification. It includes assessment of morphological and anatomical features of plants and their functions (anatomy of leaf, stem, roots; covering tissues like xylem, phloem, cambium, epidermis, cortex, pith). Ability to identify trees using observable features (leaves, bark, buttress, stem), knowledge of local/trade names and scientific names, and application of rubrics of scientific nomenclature.

• Concept of Forest Estates

  Covers reservation and constitution of forest estates, role of Reserve Settlement Commissioner, internal and external pillaring, admitted rights, and differences between protected and non-protected forests.

• Management of Forest Estates

  Examines systems of management and development of public and private estates. It also covers forest estate management problems such as bushfires, illegal farming, illegal felling, chain-sawing, illegal mining, and their solutions. Understanding of bushfires as a management problem and a management tool.

• Current State of the Forest

  Knowledge of historical facts of Ghana's forest, including area, composition of forest resources, and population growth showing the trend of forest depletion from the past to the present.

• Protective Measures

  Details measures introduced by the Forest Services Division to stop over-exploitation and protect forest resources, including ban on log exports, star rating of species, differential stumpage fees, participatory forestry, yield selection and approval, and acquisition of permits and felling rights.

• Deforestation

  Covers forms, causes, effects, and control of deforestation. Understanding of the term deforestation, indicators, causes through human activity (bushfires, farming, felling, settlement, urbanization), effects on soil fertility, animal habitat/population, economy, and environment. Control measures include appropriate farm practices, education, control of indiscriminate tree felling, enforcement of laws, appropriate harvesting and milling equipment, and intervention programs like education, rehabilitation, afforestation, and reforestation.

• Reforestation, Afforestation and Reafforestation

  Understanding the meanings and differences between reforestation, afforestation, and reafforestation. Also includes understanding of silvicultural terminologies such as silvics, silviculture, soil seed bank, shade-demanding plants, light-demanding plants, plant succession, and forest gaps.

• Natural Regeneration

  Explores the concept of natural regeneration, soil seed bank, and gaps. Factors influencing the choice of natural regeneration (topography, slope, forest type, deforestation level, seed-bearing trees). Stages of succession (primary, secondary, climatic climax) and examples of light and shade tolerant trees. Intervention methods like line and spot planting to supplement natural regeneration potential. Advantages of natural regeneration over artificial regeneration. Other intervention measures including Agro-forestry (meaning, practices like agro-silviculture, alley cropping, mulching, pruning; characteristics of suitable plants; benefits; role in nutrient recycling) and Taungya Practices (concept, historical background, influencing factors, advantages, and disadvantages).

• Artificial Regeneration

  Understanding the concept of artificial regeneration (forest plantations) with regard to the use of indigenous or exotic species in pure or mixed stands, and the advantages and disadvantages of using exotic species in plantation development.

• Invasive Alien species

  Knowledge of invasive alien plants, including examples like water hyacinth, Kariba weed, water lettuce, Mimosa pigra, Chromolaena odorata, Broussonetia papyrifera, and Leucaena leucocephala.

• Plantation Development

  Covers the purpose of plantation establishment and differences between plantation and natural forest. Factors influencing plantation development include deficit of wood, environmental degradation, need to improve stocking, and need for specific tree types. Plantation planning and design considering objectives, site selection, preparation, species selection, and cost.

• Nursery Establishment

  Focuses on the functions and importance of a nursery as a supply source of high-quality seedlings. Knowledge of types of nurseries (permanent and flying/temporary). Cultural practices such as bed preparation, pricking out, stumping, stripling, hardening-off, transplanting, seed collection, storage, treatment, sowing, watering, and weeding/shading. Knowledge of nursery tools and equipment (pick-axe, shovel, rake, hoe, wheelbarrow, cutlass, watering can) and their uses. Knowledge of nursery pests (slugs/snails, termites) and diseases (damping off, rust), their damage/symptoms and control. Costing nursery establishment, including direct costs (raw materials, labour, tools) and indirect costs (stationery, consumables, maintenance, rent), and ways to control costs and record keeping.

• Planting and Tending

  Covers land preparation (site clearing, pegging at required spacing), seedling planting using appropriate methods, and tending operations (weeding, beating up, pruning, thinning) and their importance. Effects of improper tending such as poor growth, early branching, and poor wood quality. Knowledge of sources of operational costs (direct and indirect) and their significance. Knowledge of records to be kept on a plantation and the importance of record keeping.

• Forest Mensuration

  Understanding of the term forest mensuration, its importance and purpose (comparing current and future states of the forest, determining quantity of trees, costing, pricing, management). Knowledge of and skills in using measuring instruments and equipment (Haga altimeter, tape, clinometer, compass, measuring chain, ranging poles, arrows). Knowledge of parameters measured and units of measurement in the metric system. Ability to determine height, diameter, girth, and volume of trees. Kinds of enumeration (100%, 5%, 2%) of growing stock, sampling methods (selective, systematic, random). Understanding of survey, kinds of survey (stock, strip, land), and their significance. Knowledge of and use of conventional keys/symbols in recording botanical names of trees.

• Harvesting of Timber

  Covers factors to consider before harvesting timber and pre-harvesting activities such as stock survey, reconnaissance, field inspections, and pre-felling inspection. Procedures for harvesting timber in natural forests and plantations, including permit acquisition, yield approval, felling, extraction, and measurement. Knowledge of log markings (property mark, locality mark, compartment number, stock survey number, tree number, reserve code, log number) and their interpretation. Harvesting, extraction, and transportation processes (felling, cross-cutting, hauling, marking, loading, transportation). Knowledge of harvesting equipment (chain-saw, hand saw, axe, cutlass) and their advantages/disadvantages. Safety measures during harvesting, including use of safety gear, directional felling, and staff training.

• Harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)

  Examples of NTFPs including Marantaceae leaves, chewing sticks, plant medicines, canes, rafters, bush meat. Knowledge of methods of harvesting NTFPs (hunting, gathering, trapping) considering safety and sustainability.

• Uses of Harvested Forest Products

  Common uses of forest products such as shelter, furniture, household utilities, artefacts, food, and medicine.

• Harvesting of Wildlife

  Knowledge of wildlife harvesting techniques (hunting, trapping, baiting, gathering) and the sustainability of these techniques. Knowledge of endangered, rare, and common species and the reasons why they are in those states.

• Harmful Wildlife Harvesting Practices

  Harmful wildlife harvesting practices such as use of chemicals, fire, and gin-trap, and measures to control them. Measures to reduce wildlife harvesting, including training, education, sanctions, confiscation of equipment, close/open hunting seasons, hunting permits, and ban on night hunting.

• Marketing of Forest Products

  Classification of forest products into direct (Timber, NTFPs) and indirect (Non-tangible) benefits. Contribution of forest products to income and employment generation. Factors affecting demand for forest products, including demand spectrum, local and external markets, role of forest-based industries, and current use. Types of forest products demanded by local and foreign markets and reasons for differences in demand (taste, lifestyle, economic development, quality, availability). Socio-economic benefits and effects of demand for forest products (revenue, employment, resource depletion).

• Marketing Agencies and their functions

  The various agencies involved in the marketing of forest products and their functions, including GEPC, TIDD for wood products, and GEPC and private companies for other products like medicinal plants, wood carvings, and rattan products.

• Forest Industries

  Different types of forest industries (sawmills, plywood mills, chipboard mills), their locations, and sources of raw materials. Contribution of forest industries to the economy (timber processing, product range, marketing, employment, export earnings). Processes involved in timber processing and products obtained (sawn boards, veneer, plywood). Sawmilling equipment used in processing timber (bandmill, slice veneer equipment, rotary veneer equipment). Career and training opportunities in forestry and related careers (carpentry, furniture, wood carving, wood marketing, export).

• Establishing enterprises in forestry

  Knowledge of factors and resources for establishing forest enterprises, including identification of business opportunities, products, or services needed. Resources include land, capital, materials, and structures.

• Policy-making, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

  Functions of the Ministry responsible for forestry and the Forestry Commission (FC). Functions of implementing agencies: Forest Services Division (FSD), Wildlife Division (WD), and Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD).

• Training and Research

  Roles of training and research institutions in improving the forest industry: FORIG, FRNR, FFRT, and WITC.

• Rights to Forest Resources

  Types of rights governing forest resource use in Ghana: Timber Utilization Contract (TUC), Timber Utilization Permit (TUP), and Salvage Permits for timber resources, and Permits for non-timber forest products. Differences between these rights. Procedure for acquiring TUC, TUP, and other permits. Activities that violate rights, such as illegal felling, poaching, encroachment (illegal farming, illegal mining). Understanding of alienation rights.

• Role of Stakeholders

  Stakeholders of forest resources and their roles in sustaining the forest, including Government Sector Institutions (Forestry Commission), Traditional Authorities and Communities, Non-Governmental Organisations, and Forest-based industries.

• Land Tenure Systems

  Major land tenure systems in Ghana (Communal, individual, leasehold), their advantages and disadvantages. Role of Stools, Skins, and Central Government in land ownership. Importance and procedure for land registration. Effects of land tenure on land use systems (fragmentation, litigation) and ways to improve the land tenure system.

• Forest Policy and Law

  Forest and Wildlife policy and its importance (management of forest estate, production, manpower training, research, stakeholder interests). Forest and Wildlife laws and their importance.

• Cultivation of Mushroom

  Importance and uses of mushroom (economic, nutritional, medicinal, agricultural). Biology of mushroom: classification of fungi (emphasis on Basidiomycetes), features of poisonous/non-poisonous and commercial/non-commercial mushrooms, commonly cultivated mushrooms in West Africa, how mushroom obtains nutrients, and life cycle. Methods of mushroom cultivation (local/pit, high bed, low bed, indoor/commercial/plastic bag). Production practices: composting, bagging, sterilizing, inoculation, cropping. Harvesting: signs of maturity, techniques, precautions, frequency, and yield. Post-harvest handling: processing, packaging, and preservation methods (roasting, freezing, canning).

• Beekeeping

  Importance of beekeeping. Apiary establishment: siting beehives, baiting, and capturing. Members of honey bee colony (queens, drones, workers) and their roles. Management of an apiary: routine practices, precautions, and control of pests and diseases. Maturity of colony, harvesting, and processing of honey, wax, and other products. Strategies for marketing honey and other products.

• Introduction to Wildlife and Plant Identification

  Methods and skills in identification and classification of plants and animals (wildlife). Using observation skills to recognize wildlife through footprints, tracks, droppings, size, form, external features, and prominent organs. Recognizing plant parts (stem form, crown shape, size, texture, arrangement of vegetative parts, colour of flower, fruit, etc.) and applying conventional keys. Knowledge of habitats of wildlife and the anatomy of leaves, stems, and roots.

• Tools, Equipment and Machinery

  Ability to identify, use, and maintain tools, equipment, and machinery used in forestry and wildlife management. Advantages and disadvantages of using the tools.

• Nursery practices

  Soil treatment methods, seed collection and storage, seed testing and treatment; methods of sowing and planting; practices such as pricking-out, hardening-off, and transplanting; nursery pests and diseases and their control. Ability to design a calendar for tree nursery development.

• Plantation Establishment: Land preparation

  Plantation design and planning, surveying and site clearing, pegging, methods of planting, and cultural practices such as thinning, pruning, weeding, beating up, and record keeping.

• Forest Mensuration

  Methods and ability to determine height, diameter, girth, and volume of trees and NTFPs, and angles of slopes. Knowledge of units of measurement and use of conventional symbols.

• Harvesting of Forest Resources

  Methods of harvesting timber, including felling operations, safety measures, and procedures. Log markings: property mark, locality marks, compartment number, stock survey number, tree number, reserve code, log number, etc. Methods of harvesting Non-timber Forest Products (plants and animals), including existing harvesting practices, hunting, collection, gathering, trapping, and harmful harvesting practices.

• Processing of Forest Resources

  Ability to identify types of processed forest products (veneer, plywood, particle board, artefacts). Knowledge and understanding of methods of processing timber into these products. Ability to identify NTFPs (rattan, bamboo, mushrooms, snails, bush meat, medicinal plants) and knowledge of their processing, preservation methods, and uses.

• Income Generating Ventures

  Mushroom Cultivation: Ability to identify kinds of mushroom, knowledge of uses, methods of cultivation, production, harvesting, processing, and preservation practices. Beekeeping: Ability to identify various members of the bee colony and knowledge of their roles and uses of products. Knowledge and understanding of management, harvesting, processing, and marketing activities.