B5200 - Sensitivity and Vulnerability of Soil and Water

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has acquired the theoretical and practical tools to evaluate the degree of sensitivity and vulnerability of soils and waters as a function of environmental conditions and/or human interventions on the territory in compliance with EU, national and regional legislative regulations. In particular, the student is able to: - perform land suitability assessments for different land uses, discriminating the different classes of suitability; - perform assessments of ecosystem services (C sequestration, water retention, biodiversity) of forest and agricultural soils; - quality assessments of irrigation waters in the areas of land reclamation consortia; - organize monitoring campaigns to evaluate the degree of impact resulting from forms of soil degradation (application of the DPISR model, with case studies) and related status indicators.

Course contents

Prerequisites
The student who accesses this course must have a good preparation regarding the techniques of studying ecosystems and in particular those related to the detection and classification of soils and the evaluation of agro-forestry hydraulic systems. The student must have the basic knowledge to deepen the statistical processing. The student must have a good knowledge of the English language since part of the teaching material used during the frontal and exercise activities is provided in the original language.


Teaching unit 1) Soil threats


-Soil threats from the Soil Thematic Strategy: compaction, pollution, salinization, alkalinization, loss of biodiversity and organic C, erosion and desertification. – description of the processes. Evaluation of the problems by applying the DPSIR model. The 2030 Agenda and the role of soil in the sustainability of resources.


The course aims to achieve knowledge through the treatment of case studies


-Anthrosol and Tehnosol: heavy metal pollution (10 hours)


Case study diffuse pollution: Waste-to-energy plant of Frullo (BO)


Case study geogenic pollution: Case study of the mining area of Valdicastello Carducci (Pietrasanta)


Case study localized pollution: Case study of the former furnace of Castenaso (BO)


-salinization (10 hours) Case study salinization of agricultural soils of the Ravenna coast.


Case study of salt marsh and wetlands ecosystems, soil-plant relationship and hydromorphy


-Loss of soil fertility and organic C and sustainable soil management in agriculture and forestry (10 hours)


Case study of the calculation of organic C stock in agricultural, forestry and pasture soils


Case study of the evaluation of the suitability of a crop, the chestnut.


Pedodiversity and biodiversity (from the territory to the soil profile, the role of microbial communities)


Contents of the Laboratory Teaching Unit, Field Exercises (24 hours)
The exercises will take place in the territory:


Seminars held by experts from the public and private sectors
Joint educational trips to the Casentinesi Forests National Park
In consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance of this training activity requires all students to complete Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio] and to participate in Module 3 of specific training on safety and health in study places. Indications on the dates and methods of attendance of Module 3 can be found in the appropriate section of the course website.”

Readings/Bibliography

Materiale didattico (articoli scientifici, divulgativi) distribuiti a lezione.

Giordano A. “ peodologia forestale e conservazione del suolo” UTET

VISUAL SOIL ASSESSMENT (VSA) Field Guideshttp://www.fao.org/docrep/010/i0007e/i0007e00.htm

Predicting soil erosion by water: a guide to conservation planning with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/64080530/RUSLE/AH_703.pdf

Land Capability material (free download):

http://www.unirc.it/documentazione/materiale_didattico/598_2009_214_6447.pdf

Land Suitability material (free reading):http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0715e/t0715e06.htm

Il suolo: la radice della vita. APAT (ISPRA) http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/files/pubblicazioni/pubblicazionidipregio/3633_il_suolo_def.pdf

Teaching methods

The teaching of Sensitivity and vulnerability of the water-soil system


will be structured by developing case studies and applying guidelines and methodologies referred to current legislation. Surveys will be proposed with the aid of geographic information systems (GIS)


The exercises will be carried out jointly with other teachings at the Casentinesi Forests National Park

Assessment methods

The assessment of the teaching Sensitivity and vulnerability of the water-soil system is done through an open test of 10 questions on the topics developed during the teaching. Each question is evaluated from 0 to 3. The test will be carried out in two hours.


The final grade of the C.I. MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF THE WATER-SOIL SYSTEM will derive from the outcome of the two teachings Experimental methodology and data analysis and Sensitivity and vulnerability of the water-soil system that are part of the Integrated Course MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF THE WATER-SOIL SYSTEM

Teaching tools

During the lessons and during the exercises, handouts, cards, images, booklets and bibliographical material are provided.

Office hours

See the website of Livia Vittori Antisari