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GEOG 382 Soils Ecosystems and Resource

INSTRUCTOR:                   Dr. Joy Wolf
CLASS TIME:                     Wed:  2:00 p – 5:50 p
TELEPHONE:                   595-3221
EMAIL:                                wolf@uwp.edu
OFFICE:                              MOLN 247
OFFICE HOURS:                T, W: 1-2pm, or by appt

Course Description:
 Soil as a natural resource is important as the ultimate source of support for vegetation and the foundation of ecosystem development, and to humans for agricultural purposes. This course will examine soils as natural bodies and as managed resources and integrate the basic properties of soil characteristics with ecological and management applications. In this class, we will learn how soil science fits into the broader topic of physical geography by exploring physical and chemical properties of soils, plant nutrition from soils, environmental impacts of climate, geomorphology, and organisms on soils, and how soils are managed.  We will collect soil in the field and analyze samples in the lab to understand the implications of spatial delineation of soils in a natural landscape. 

Photos from previous classes!

Prerequisite:   GEOG 100 (Physical Geography) or consent of instructor.

Texts and Readings
Required:  Brady, N. and R. Weil,  Elements of Nature & Property of Soils, 2000, Prentice Hall Press
Assigned Readings (as handouts on D2L) from Out of the Earth:  Civilization and the Life of the Soil.

GRADING: based on the total score from the following:
            Participation/Attendance          5%
            Exam 1:                                   20%
            Exam 2:                                   20%
            Final Exam:                             25%
            Lab Exercises                          20%
            Lead Discussion                      10%  (Each student will provide a summary and thoughtful questions for an assigned reading and lead the class in a discussion on assigned readings)

 

The final exam will place emphasis on material covered after Exams 1 and 2.  Exams will consist of true/false and multiple choice questions, matching, definitions, slide identification, fill-in-the-blank and essay questions.  Exams will refer to lecture material, lab material, readings, and in-class discussions.  Students who feel they have a learning disability that may affect their performance are encouraged to meet with me as soon as possible so that accommodations can be made.  Note the dates of midterms; no make-ups will be offered. 

 

The following is a tentative schedule that may be adjusted as the term progresses.   

Lecture Schedule & Assigned Readings 

Week

Date

Topics                           

Readings

 

 

Physical Properties of Soils

1

9/3

Introduction to Course
Soil Components, Horizons, Formation, Weathering
Field: (if time): Soil Profile, Collect Soil

Ch 1 - 2 (BW)

2

9/10

 

Soil Classification

Field II: (if needed): Soil Profile, Collect Soil

Ch 3 (BW)

 

3

9/17

 

Physical Properties: Texture and Structure  

Reading:   Fertile Substrate (instructor led)

Lab:  Texture Particle Size Analysis   Groups:  Bulk Density

Ch. 4 (BW)

Ch 3 (H)

4

 

9/24

Soil Moisture

Reading:  Vital Fluid,  Dynamic Cycle (instructor led)

Lab:  Soil Moisture, Infiltration, WHC

Ch. 5 (BW)
Ch. 4 & 5 (H)

 

5

 

10/1

Soil Water Movement and Management

Possibly:  Soil Aeration & Soil Temperature

Reading: Endangered Wetlands, Water Mgmt in Isreal
 Field:  Spatial Pattern Analysis

Ch 6  (BW)

Ch. 7 (BW)

Ch 25 & 27 (H)

6

 

10/8

Finish:  Soil Aeration & Soil Temperature

Test 1:  Chapters 1-7 and Lab material

Ch. 7 (BW)

 

 

 

 

Nutrients and Biogeography of Soils

 

7

 

10/15

Soil Colloids 

Reading: Agricultural Transformation, Early Farming in the Near East

Ch 8, (BW)
Ch 9 & 10 (H)

8

 

10/22

Acidity, CEC, Base Saturation           

Reading:  Gifts of the Nile, Saline Seeps in Australia and N. America
Lab:  pH

Ch. 9 (BW)

Ch 12 &18 (H)

 

9

10/29

 

Soil Biology
Soil Organic Matter

Lab:  Soil Biology and Organic Matter

Ch.10 (BW)
Ch 11 (BW)

 

10

11/5

Plant Nutrition: Nitrogen, Sulfur, Phosphorus, Potassium

Readings:  Primary Producers, Tenuous Balance

Lab:  Nutrient Testing - may take extra time

Ch 12-13 (BW)
Ch   6 & 7(H)

 

11

 

11/12

 

Finish Plant Nutrition

Test 2:  Chapters 8-13 and Lab material

 

 

 

 

Problems and Management of Soils

12

11/19

Nutrient Management

Readings:  Farming Mesoamerican Wetlands, Advent of Chemical Fertilizers

Ch. 14 (BW)

 

Ch 16 & 17 (H)

13

11/26

Meet from 2-4 only. 
Management Issues:  Drainage and Irrigation, Soil Erosion  

Ch. 15 (BW)

14

12/3

Field Trip:  Drainage/Irrigation / other mgmt practices

 

15

12/10

Environment Issues:  Clearcutting, Acid Precip
Readings:  Silt/ Salt in Mesopotamia, Promise/Peril of Irrigation
Readings: Accelerated Erosion, Abusing the Living Filter
Geographic Soils Information

Lab:  Soil Surveys

 

Ch 11 & 19 (H)
Ch. 20 & 28 (H)
Readings

1:00p

12/17

Final Exam

 

Last updated: 03/02/2008