Finnish Society of Forest Science awards annually prizes for excellent doctoral and Master’s theses accepted during the preceding year. The awards are made among the theses proposed by the Department of Forest Sciences at the University of Helsinki and the School of Forest Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland. The number of awards is not fixed but depends on the quality of the theses proposed in each year. Typically, the Society awards 1-2 prizes for excellent doctoral dissertations and 1-3 prizes for excellent M.Sc. theses.
The prizes of 2023 were published in the Spring meeting of the Society on 4 April 2023. M.Sc. thesis awardee Lauri Männistö gave a talk on his thesis. The presentation recording will be uploaded on this page.
Prizes for excellent M.Sc. theses
Lauri Männistö, University of Helsinki. Kuusi-koivu-sekametsätaimikoiden rakenne ja kehitys. [Structure and development of mixed spruce-birch sapling stands] http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:hulib-202205101852
The thesis of Lauri Männistö deals with the structure, spatial arrangement and predicted future development of mixed spruce-birch sapling stands under different precommercial thinning regimes. Lauri Männistö has reviewed thoroughly the earlier research on mixed forests and uses it in an excellent manner for discussing the background of the study and the results. He uses wisely various methods, which indicates excellent data management and analysis skills. Lauri Männistö discusses the results in an analytic and critical manner, showing maturity as a student. Presentation of the results, good Finnish language and careful finalisation of the report form an excellent entity.
Janne Viljakainen, University of Eastern Finland. Metsäkoneiden ajouraverkostojen toteutustapojen luokittelu. [Classification of the building of networks of forest machinery’s carriage paths]
Thesis of Janne Viljakainen belongs to the field of forest engineering. He focuses in the planning and execution of the carriage path networks in mechanised timber harvesting. All parts of the thesis were evaluated as excellent. The background of the study is well described in the introduction section. The materials and methods are well described and the work may be reproduced based on the report. Janne Viljakainen uses statistics in an exceptionally skilful manner. The map presentation for the comparison of the carriage path alternatives is illustrative and clear. Janne Viljakainen discusses critically the materials and results of the study. He knows well the literature related to the study topic and discusses it excellently.