What soil is and how it forms. Soil forming factors. Soil profile and genetic horizons. Soil profile description. Main chemical and physical soil properties and their relations with plant growth. Impact of forest management and wildfires on soil properties. Humus forms. Soil classifications. Diagnostic horizons. Orders of the Soil Taxonomy.
Basi di Pedologia, G. Certini and F.C. Ugolini, Edagricole-Sole 24 Ore, Milan, 2010.
Learning Objectives
Knolewdge acquired: basic concepts on properties, formation, sustainable management, and classification of soils.
Competence acquired (at the end of the course):
The course provides the basic concepts of pedology: soil, profile, and horizons; pathway of soil formation, soil profile description; main physical properties of soil and their relations with forest growth; humus forms. Moreover, the course provides the bases to individuate the main pedogenic processes that lead to soil formation and to classify the soils at the highest level.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course): Ability to describe a soil and understand its suitability for agronomical and environmental purposes. Ability to classify soils.
Prerequisites
Recommended courses: Chimica Generale ed Inorganica con laboratorio, Biochimica e chimica organica.
Teaching Methods
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 96
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 32
Contact hours for: Field trips and laboratory activities (hours): 14
Seminars (hours): 2
Further information
The participation to lessons and field drills is not compulsory, but highly recommended.
Teaching tools:
Video projector, PC, laboratorio
Type of Assessment
Exam modality: spoken examination on the subjects of lectures and field trips.
Course program
What soil is and how it forms. Soil forming factors. Soil profile and genetic horizons. Soil profile description. Main chemical and physical soil properties and their relations with plant growth. Impact of forest management and wildfires on soil properties. Humus forms. Soil classifications. Diagnostic horizons. Orders of the Soil Taxonomy.