• 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.