ECTS
ECTS Course Catalogue
Course details
Course code: RSSS20121o17Semester: 2017/2018 summer
Name: Soil Resources - Evaluation and Classification
Major: Environmental Protection
Study Type: second cycle
Course type: compulsory
Study Semester: 1
ECTS points: 5
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 30 / 30 / 0
Lecturer: prof. dr hab. Cezary Kabała
Language of instruction: Polish / English
Learning outcomes: Student acquires the knowledge on modern classification of Polish and world soil resources (according to the Classification of Polish Soils, and international; classifications FAO-WRB and the U.S. Soil Taxonomy) for the estimation of environmental quality and agricultural productivity. Students will learn the meaning of diagnostic characteristics necessary for the description of the soil profile in accordance with international guidelines (FAO-ISRIC, U.S. Soil Survey Staff), which develops the ability to self-interpret information about the environment and its importance to agriculture, forestry and nature conservation issues and approaches to problems of their master thesis.
Competences: Student independently identifies soil types according to the modern Polish and international classifications, is planning its own field work and the necessary range of laboratory analysis, as well as describing the soil profile and estimating the environmental quality and agricultural value of soil
Prerequisites: Soil science (basic course)
Course content: Diagnostic role of soil texture, color, structure, gleyic properties and morphological features. International rules of soil evaluation. Soil resources of Poland as evaluated based on Classification of Polish Soils. Theoretical background and main units of international soil classification systems - FAO-WRB and US Soil Taxonomy. Evaluation of European and world soil resources focused on their productivity. Origin and unique properties of anthropogenic soils (including technosols). Environmental role and protection of organic soils. Application of GIS methods in investigation of soil cover.
Recommended literature: 1. Driessen P., Deckers J., Spaargaren O., Nachtergaele F. 2001. FAO lecture notes on the major soils of the world. World Soil Resources Reports 94, Rome, Italy (available on internet). 2. Guidelines for soil description. 4th edition. FAO, Rome, 2006. 3. IUSS. 2006/2007. World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2006. 2nd edition, World Soil Resources Reports 103, FAO, Rome (available on internet). 4. Brady N., Weil R. 2007. The nature and properties of soils. Pearson.
Assessment methods: obligatory practical/lab training and oral exam (minimum 60% of knowledge to pass)
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