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Next 211-212 Forest Mensuration and Surveying

 211-203 Forest Soils

Credit Points

12.5

HECS Band

2

Coordinator

Dr Chris Weston

Semester

2 (view timetable)

Contact

24 hours of lectures, 36 hours of field and laboratory based practical classes

Subject Description

On completion of this subject students should understand the attributes evident in a soil profile which contribute to the behaviour of the soil; understand soil groupings based on profile characteristics; understand soil composition and the physical processes that occur in soil; understand the important biological reactions which occur in soil and how they contribute to the chemical fertility of soil; and understand how a soil may be managed to conserve its structural and chemical attributes to benefit plant growth. Subject content includes components and properties of soils; soil organic matter and soil nitrogen, soil biota and decomposition reactions; phosphorus sorption and availability; reactions at surfaces, cation and anion exchange, pH, particle interaction and swelling; fertiliser chemistry and plant trace elements in soil; and carbon and nutrient cycling in forests.

Assessment

A 3-hour written examination. Marks will also be given for assignments and practical work.

Recommended Texts

  • R E White, Principles and Practice of Soil Science. 3rd ed. Blackwell Science, 1997.
  • P M Attiwill, & G W Leeper, Forest Soils & Nutrient Cycles. MUP.


Search : Index : Institute of Land and Food Resources : Bachelor of Forest Science
Next 211-212 Forest Mensuration and Surveying
Status:                   Official 2001
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Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au