Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (Volume 4 page 22)
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Year 2 Forestry.
Credit points: 12.0
Coordinator: Dr C J Weston.
Contact: 36 hours of lectures, 36 hours of field excursions and laboratory based practical classes
Timetable: Second semester
Objectives:
On completion of this subject, students should be able to: recognise differences between soil profiles; understand why soil profiles are different (pedogenesis); understand the attributes evident in a soil profile which contribute to the behaviour of the soil; understand what contributes to the physical and chemical fertility of the soil profile; make recommendations on how a soil may be managed to conserve and/or improve its positive structural and chemical attributes; communicate ideas and research results in a cogent written fashion.
Content:
Soil properties and soils in the landscape. Concept of soil formation and processes in profile development. Soil classification systems. Soil physics; texture, particle size, water, air, soil strength, variability. Soils and plant nutrients; the importance of N, P, K. Soil organic matter and soil nitrogen. Decomposition, mineralization, soil fauna and flora. Soil phosphorus behaviour, sorption and availability. Reactions at surfaces; cation exchange, base saturation, pH, particle interaction and swelling. Soils and fertilizers, trace elements in soils. Forest soils and nutrient cycling. Soil conservation - problems created by salinity, sodicity and erosion.
Assessment:
Three hours of written examination. Marks will also be given for assignments and practical work.
Prescribed texts:
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (Volume 4 page 22)
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 9 1995 Last modified: Oct 9 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: School of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture.
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.