37378 - Pedology and Soil Management

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has awareness of the value of the soil, which is a not renevable resource. It knows the factors that lead the genesis and the development of soils. The student is able to use the instruments and the methods in order to set up a pedological survey and to perform the main physical chemical analyses. Furthermore, the student will be able to classify soils, to interpret and to use the information in order to estimate the soil quality, in relation to the various land use destinations and to pressures to which soil can be subject.

Course contents

Introduction to soil science: definition of pedology, the role of soil in biogeochemical cycles, and the importance and functions of soil. Soil-forming factors: climate, parent material, topography, living organisms, and time. Soil formation and evolution processes. Main diagnostic surface (epipedons) and subsurface (endopedons) horizons. Soil survey design: use of base maps, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify landscape units. Soil survey methods: profile description, horizon characterization, soil sampling, laboratory analyses, and interpretation of analytical results. Soil classification and mapping. Soil quality assessment: Land Capability Classification (LCC), Land Suitability Evaluation (LSE), and Soil Quality Indices (SQIs). Soil remediation and fertilization practices. Online soil databases. National and European legislation on soil protection.

Readings/Bibliography

Certini G., Ugolini F. C. (2010 first ed. and 2021 second ed.). Basi di pedologia. Edagricole. Bologna.

Dazzi C. (2013). Fondamenti di pedologia. Ed. Le Penseur.

IUSS Working Group WRB (2022). World Reference Base for Soil Resources. International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. 4th edition. International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), Vienna, Austria.

MiPAF (2006). Metodi di valutazione dei suoli e delle terre. Osservatorio Nazionale Pedologico e per la Qualità del Suolo Agricolo e Forestale. Edizioni Cantagalli, Siena.

MiPAF (2015). Metodi di analisi chimica del suolo. 3° versione. A cura di C. Colombo e T. Miano. Pubblicità e Stampa (BA).

Soil Survey Staff (2022). Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 13th edition. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Soil Survey Staff (2024). Field book for describing and sampling
soils, version 4.0. USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
U.S. Government Printing Office.

Selected papers.

Teaching methods

Teaching activities include lectures supported by multimedia presentations, practical sessions in computer and chemistry laboratories, and field activities focused on soil observation, profile description, and soil sampling.

Assessment methods

Assessment is based on the preparation and presentation of an individual soil survey project.

The discussion following the presentation is intended to assess students' knowledge and understanding of the importance and functions of soil, soil-forming factors, soil formation and evolution processes, the characteristics of the main diagnostic horizons, and the relationships between soil and the environment.

Attention is devoted to students' knowledge of soil survey methods and criteria, the use of thematic mapping and GIS tools, as well as soil sampling techniques and the main laboratory analyses. Students are also expected to demonstrate their ability to interpret analytical results to assess soil quality and identify management practices consistent with the sustainable use of soil resources.

The final assessment also takes into account the scientific accuracy of the content presented, the ability to integrate the knowledge acquired throughout the course, and the appropriate use of technical and scientific terminology during the presentation.

With regard to assessment, limited, explicitly stated, and non-substantial use of AI is permitted for support activities (summarization, rephrasing). Substantial use of AI to complete parts of the exam is not permitted.

Students requiring reasonable accommodations due to disabilities, medical conditions, psychological disorders, or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) may contact the University Service for Students with Disabilities (disabilita@unibo.it) or the Service for Students with Specific Learning Disorders (dsa@unibo.it) to arrange the most appropriate support measures.

Teaching tools

Teaching is supported by a video projector, computer and chemistry laboratories, a drone, GPS equipment, and a compass, as well as field trips to different environmental settings for the observation of soil profiles and the performance of basic field analyses. Microsoft Teams, Virtuale, and Panopto are used to support teaching activities as repositories for course materials, recorded lectures, and supplementary learning resources.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Buscaroli

See the website of