I. Introduction
Soil and its different definitions
Role and position of soils in terrestrial ecosystems
Ecosystem services and soil functions
Concepts of chemical and biological fertility

II. Indicators of soil quality and health
Review of concepts of soil quality, soil health and soil security. Rationale for the use of soil indicators and specific requisites. Physical, chemical and biological indicators. Static and dynamic descriptors.
Pools and processes.
Main bioindicators: definitions and functions.
Soil health and resilience
Soil quality indexes

III. Soil organic matter (SOM)
Main features, composition, physical, chemical and biological properties.
SOM as a complex indicator of soil quality. Quantity and quality of SOM
Role of SOM to maintain soil fertility, to promote carbon storage and as the site of tight interactions with soil biota. Pools of ecological relevance.

IV. Soil microbial biomass
Definition, composition and main characteristics
Factors influencing microbial biomass development. Trophic conditions and adaptation strategies. Functions of soil microrganisms and their specific role within nutrient cycles.
How to study microbial biomass. Quantitative and qualitative approaches. FE method, SIR, multi-SIR, CLPP techniques. Concepts of genetic and functional diversity.
Microbial indexes: the microbial quotient, significance and measurement.

V. Mineralization processes (C & N mineralization)
Significance of mineralization processes to guarantee soil fertility
C mineralization. Soil respiration and its components: definition and measurement
Microbial indexes: the metabolic and the mineralization quotients: significance and measurement
N mineralization. Mineralization potential and in situ measurements

VI. Soil enzymes
Definitions and main features. Notes on enzyme kinetics: general infos. Localization and origin of soil enzymes. Classes of soil enzymes. Functions and stability of enzymes in soil. Immobilized enzymes.
Intra- and extracellular enzymes.
Determination of enzyme activities by means of different methods : colorimetric and fluorimetric techniques. Specific activities. Real and potential activity.

VII. Drivers of global soils change:
Natural and anthropogenic pressures (climate changes, land use changes, pollution)
Threats to soil functions
Soil degradation, soil loss

VIII. How to plan a monitoring activity
WWWHWWW scheme.
Experimental design, sampling schemes.
How to choose the right indicators. New sets of indicators.
Presentation of specific case studies in forest soils



Laboratory classes (if allowed)
1 - Determination of soil respiration
2 - Determination of acid phosphatase activity

Working group
Presentation to the class of a scientific article selected from the recent literature

Texts
1) Brady NC, Weil RR, 2016
The nature and properties of soils, XV Ed. (Chapt. 1, 11, 12, 20), XIV Ed.(Chapt. 2, 12, 13, 21) or XIII Ed. (Chapt. 1-11-12-20)(University Library)

2) FAO and ITPS., 2015.
Status of the World’s Soil Resources (SWSR) – Main Report. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils, Rome, Italy (selected chapters)

3) NERI Technical Report No. 388, 2002
Microorganisms as indicators of soil health,

4) European Commission - DG ENV, Report 2010
Soil biodiversity: functions, threats and tools for policy makers,

5) Gardi C., Jeffrey J. , 2009
Soil biodiversity, JRC Scientific and Technical Reports

6) Shukla G., Varma A., 2011,
Soil enzymology –Springer Verlag
(selected chapters)

Course slides may be only used as a guide to prepare the exam