Introduction to Soil Geography

This course explains how geological processes and soil forming processes shape the soil and lead to soil spatial variation. It describes the main physical, chemical and biological properties that characterise the soil and explains how soils are grouped by soil classification systems. Students also learn how soil maps are made and how these maps are used in land evaluation studies.
Practicals alternate lectures and illustrate and deepen the subject knowledge. A field excursion shows the relationships between geology, soils, and landscape (including land use) around Wageningen.

• Recognise and explain geological processes in relation to the genesis of landscapes, parent materials and soils

• Recognise and interpret how soil-forming processes lead to different soil properties and variations in soil types

• Recognise and apply basic approaches in soil inventarisation and digital soil mapping in order to use relevant soil information as a basis for land evaluation

• Written test with closed questions (100%) 'Bring You Own Device' exam: 40 multiple choice questions. There is one exam which counts for 100% of the final grade. A test exam is available (answers and explanations included). No open book exam.

ZSS06200 Fieldwork Safety

• Reader 'Introduction to Soil Geography'. You can order your readers at https://wurreadershop.proefschriftmaken.nl/shop/wur. For literature books, please go to https://wur.acco.be/ If you have any questions, contact your course coordinator at sgl12803@wur.nl.