Module content
Recognition of soil types; management of physical issues including structure, organic content, erosion control etc; management of nutrient supply including fertiliser and organic materials. Control of contamination and pollution (PTEs, sewage sludge and industrial amendments).
Soil-water interactions; crop requirements, irrigation and drainage. Water supply, collection techniques, water conservation measures (mulches, etc.); risk and avoidance of salinization and sodicity.
Sustainability of soil resource use. Evaluation of farming systems [organic, integrated, conventional], proposed protection strategies and risk posed by climate change.
Module outcomes
To achieve credit for this module, students must be able to:
- Review and critically evaluate the fundamentals of pedology and hydrology as they apply to sustainable resource management.
- Demonstrate understanding of the sustainability of systems for managing the soil resource.
- Critique and discuss water resource use within the environment.
Assessment
| Assessment | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Individual Essay (3000 wds) in the style of a scientific communication to address one of six given questions relating to sustainable management | 100% |
Assessments may differ in 2021/22 due to adjustments for Covid-19. Please check Gateway for the latest regulations.