The objective is the understanding of the soil as natural support of the landscape and its evolution while a dynamic and degradable resource, sustainer of natural and agricultural terrestrial ecosystems.
The development of skills for identification of the soil-landscape interaction is intended, from the soil properties characterization (field and laboratory) and its observation in the natural space in regard of physiography, vegetation and climate, as well as the criticism capability for the soil quality (agro-ecological and conservation perspectives) and of its main role in land use planning.
1. The soil as the landscape natural support
Roles in the ecosystem; Composition: the soil as a three phase system; Dynamics: the soil as an open system; Soil genetic factors; General process of soil formation; Soil morphology. The soil profile and horizons
2. The mineral fraction of the soil
Rocks and primary minerals; Secondary constituents.
3. The organic fraction of the soil
Soil biomass; Soil organisms; Environmental conditions and biological activity; Organic matter dynamics.
4. Soil properties
Texture; Structure; Mass-volume soil relationships; Consistency; Soil color; Pedoclimate; Soil as a coloidal system; Soil reaction.
5. Soil classification and mapping
Main soil taxonomical categories; Land Use and Agricultural Reserve maps of the Azores
6. Soil degradation
Erosion; Conservation; Contamination.
The course teaching is based 2 hours/week of class teaching and 2 hours/week practical. In class the chapters presented in the program are covered based on PPT presentations and debate. Field classes are oriented towards soil profile description and discussion of their relationship with landscape. Analytical study of some of the main soil properties is performed in laboratory work.
Soils in Natural Landscapes E. B. Alexander. 2013. CRC Press
The Nature and Properties of Soils (12th edition) Nyle C. Brady, Ray R. Weil. 1999. Printice Hall
Fundamentals of Soil Science (8th edition) Henry D. Foth. 1991. Wiley
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