Learning objectives: The main objective of the teaching is to provide the knowledge required to interpret the genesis and evolution of a soil and its connection to the landscape. The basis for understanding soil formation processes and their relationships with environmental (climate, geology, morphology) and anthropic (land use and management) factors will be provided. The student will learn the basics of understanding the spatial distribution of soils and their temporal evolution within the landscape, by means of practical examples of soil map interpretation and soil-landscape reading.
Knowledge and understanding: The student will have to demonstrate that he/she has learnt and understood the main aspects of soil science, i.e. (i) the chemical, physical and hydrological characteristics of soils; (ii) the recognition and characterisation of soil horizons, as well as the recognition of the pedogenetic processes; (iii) the pedogenetic factors influencing the evolution of a soil and the distribution of major soil types in the world; (iv) the principles of soil taxonomy and soil mapping; (v) the ecosystem functions of soil and the risks of degradation to which it is subject.
Applying knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to use acquired knowledge to: i) describe the main characteristics of a soil profile and the associated pedogenetic processes, understanding the links between environmental characteristics and chemical-physical and hydrological characteristics; ii) understand the location of a certain soil type within a landscape and its geographical limits related to variations in pedogenetic factors; iii) understand and quantify the forms of soil degradation (e.g. erosion, compaction)
Making judgement: the student must be able to independently recognise a certain soil type and the soil processes present. He/she must also know how to set up a soil survey and a description of a soil profile or augering, as well as interpret a soil map or a soil description and analysis data.
Communication skills: The student should have the ability to explain the acquired knowledge in a simple and comprehensive manner, also trying to link the basics of mineralogy-chemistry and soil physics, with more complex topics such as ecosystem services and forms of soil degradation.
Learning skills: The student is expected to refer to the teaching syllabus and lecture schedule of the course, delving into the various topics addressed through the handouts provided by the lecturer, consultation of recommended texts and publications of national and international relevance.