B2001 - PEDOLOGIA APPLICATA

Learning outcomes

The course is part of the general objective of the bachelors in Natural Sciences and Geological Sciences of providing the cultural formation necessary for the analysis and understanding of the natural environment, specifically providing skills related to the soil resource. At the end of course, in fact, the student acquires the basic knowledge for the interpretation of the soil forming factors and processes that determine the geographical distribution of soils. In particular, the student acquires the necessary tools for the evaluation of the soil ecosystem evolution in the different pedoenvironments, both through the interpretation of the soil morphological parameters and chemical-physical properties determined in the field and in the laboratory.

Course contents

Prerequisites

The student who accesses this teaching is in possession of a good preparation in the fundamentals of mathematics and chemistry. These prerequisites are provided by the teachings of the first period of the first year of the degree.

Theoretical content of the teaching unit (total teaching unit: 32 hours)

1. Basic concepts - The soil, formation and evolution of soil, genetic horizons

2. Factors of pedogenesis - Climate, parent material, vegetation, relief, time

3. Transformation process of organic components - Soil biomass, soil organic matter and its transformations, formation of surface horizons

4. Pedogenetic processes - Soil evolution and state of soil, processes of transformation of material within soil, translocation within soil, addition to soil and loss from soil, environmental contexts and main pedogenetic processes

5. Characterization of the main morphological and chemical-physical soil properties - Selection and opening of the soil profile; site information collection; organic and mineral horizons description; field analysis

6. Geographical distribution of soils – The main soil types in the several regional, national and world pedoenviroments

The student will acquire skills related to the knowledge of the role and effect of the main factors of pedogenesis on soil, main processes of soil formation, soil survey methodology and denomination of the main diagnostic horizons

Practical content of the teaching unit (total teaching unit 24 hours)

The practical exercises are: determination of the main soil characteristics (texture, soil pH, carbonate, soil organic matter, etc. etc.) and soil description. The laboratory and field activities will allow a fast transfer of knowledge presented in class into practical applications necessary for understanding of relationships between soil properties and pedogenic processes.

Readings/Bibliography

Fundamental will be the use of material provided by the teacher and lecture notes.

- G. Certini, F.C. Ugolini. Basi di Pedologia, Edagricole, Bologna 2010. Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7

- C. Dazzi. Fondamenti di Pedologia. Le Penseur, 2013. Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11 (Ch. 11 only the paragraphs concern on moisture and temperature soil regimes)

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures and practical exercises in the field. The slides of lectures will be available on Virtuale.

For practical activities, students must have participate in Moduli 1 and 2 (https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio ) in advance and in Modulo 3 on specific training on safety and health in study places.

Assessment methods

The final oral examination The duration of the oral test will be of 30 minutes.

Teaching tools

Computer, webcam, projector, Power-point presentations, e-learning platforms (e.g., Kahoot), tools for field activities.

Office hours

See the website of Gloria Falsone

See the website of Livia Vittori Antisari