• Semester 2 (Day)
• Semester 2 (External)

Synopsis

A  knowledge  of soils as a resource in both natural and agricultural
ecosystems   is   important   to  science,   arts   and   engineering
professionals  involved in the sustainable management  of  biological
systems.   This introductory unit focusses on soils as a  medium  for
plant  growth  and  investigates the nature  and  role  of  the  soil
chemical  and physical properties, clay mineralogy, and soil  biology
as   limiting  factors  on  soil  fertility.   It  also  provides   a
comprehensive  investigation of the processes of soil  formation  and
the  methods  of  soil  description  and  classification.   Both  the
physical  and chemical processes of soil degradation are investigated
and  management  practices  to prevent, ameliorate  and  rehabilitate
degraded land are discussed.