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Lecturer(s)
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Choma Michal, RNDr. Ph.D.
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Kaštovská Eva, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
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Šantrůčková Hana, prof. Ing. CSc.
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Tahovská Karolina, RNDr. Ph.D.
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Čapek Petr, RNDr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Content of lectures: 1. Soil function in the ecosystem (definition of function and comparison of individual ecosystems). 2. Soil formation (weathering, main soil-forming factors. 3. Soil classification (taxonomy and nomenclature, used classification systems, soil types) 4. Physical properties of soil (texture, structure, water in soil, temperature, aeration). colloids (types and properties, exchange capacities, sorption) 6. Soil reactions (acidity, alkalinity, salinity) 7. Soil organic matter 8. Ecology of soil organisms 9. Nutrient cycles in soil (nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur). 10. Anthropogenic influences (management, erosion, pollution) and soil quality 11. Presentation of essays. Exercise content: In the block exercise to get acquainted with the collection and preparation of soil samples, with the basic physical, chemical and biological methods and standards used in the evaluation of soil quality in the Czech Republic and within the EU (ISO standards) During the semester, the student prepares a project with the help of the protocol "Soil quality assessment", in which he evaluates 3 soils in a selected locality in the context of environmental conditions and proposes a suitable management method. He defends the project in a broader context at the exam colloquium.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with text (with textbook, with book), Practical training, Group work
- Class attendance
- 54 hours per semester
- Preparation for classes
- 10 hours per semester
- Semestral paper
- 40 hours per semester
- Preparation for exam
- 20 hours per semester
- Preparation for credit
- 20 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The course aims in the presentation of the soil as a basic part of terrestrial ecosystem. It gives a basic knowledge of soil formation, development and classification, of the role of plants as a main source of soil organic matter and a role of soil organisms in the transformation of organic matter and nutrient cycling. The course is made mainly for bachelor degree students of environmental care and for the students who want to focus on botany, ecology or biogeochemical cycling. It is a prerequisite for the other soil courses such as Soil contamination and degradation, Soil microbiology and Soil physics and chemistry.
The student will gain basic knowledge about the function of soil in the ecosystem, the most important properties of soil as an environment for plant growth and development of other organisms. They will understand the principles of nutrient and organic matter transformation in the soil and will be able to assess the soil quality and the possible impact of human interventions on soil functioning and their consequences for the entire ecosystem.
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Prerequisites
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Student is familiar with basic rules in biogeochemical cycling, ecology, microbiology and plant biology at the secondary school level. Students are recommended to enroll together with the course Biogeochemical Cycles KBE/117.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Student performance assessment, Combined exam, Test, Seminar work
Successful completion of the course is conditioned by the elaboration and defense of a soil quality assessment project, which includes a laboratory internship, which determines the basic properties of the evaluated soils. This is followed by a written exam including the lectured issues, where it is necessary to obtain at least 50% of points.
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Recommended literature
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Brady N.C. Weil R.R. The nature and properties of soils.. Prentice Hall.
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Coleman D.C. et al. Fundamentals of soil ecology. Acad Press, 2004.
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Paul E.A., Clark F.E. Soil microbiology and biochemistry. Acad Press, 1996.
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Šantrůčková Hana et al. Ekologie půdy. České Budějovice, 2018. ISBN 978-80-7394-695-1.
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