Protection of soils and geological heritage

Lectures (10 x 1 hour)

1. Geological heritage in Poland: its threats and forms of protection.

2. The Geosites net and proposals of the European Geoparks on the area of Poland.

3. Multifunctional role of soils in the environment. Basic terms related to soil protection and conservation.

4. Threats of soils in Poland, types and causes

5. Soil erosion.

6. Physical deterioration of soils, geotechnical deformations.

7. Chemical degradation – soil acidification and pollution with organic and inorganic materials

8. Biological degradation – organic matter decline

9. Legislation on soil protection.

10. Basis of soil reclamation.

Laboratory classes (10 hours)

1-5. Properties of soils with different resistance against degradation processes: determinations of organic carbon, pH values and grain size distribution.

6-7. Buffer capacities determination.

8-9. Determination of cation exchange capacities.

10. Analysis of results and summary.

Field classes (5 hours)

Visit to Ojców National Park to examine geological monuments and values of landscape.

Subject statistic

1. Number of hours and ECTS credits - compulsory subject Hours: -; ECTS: -

2. Number of hours and ECTS credits - facultative subject Hours: 50; ECTS: 2

3. Total number of hours and ECTS credits, a student must earn by direct contact with academics (lectures, classes, seminars....) Hours: 25; ECTS: 1,0

4. Total number of hours and ECTS credits, a student earns in the course of a practical nature, such as laboratory, field trips and design classes Hours: 15; ECTS: 0,6

5. Expected personal workload (without or with academics participation during consultations) necessary for realization of subject objectives. Hours: 25; ECTS: 1,0

knowledge:

1. has comprehensive knowledge about the effect of human activities on soils and biodiversity

2. knows threats of soils in Poland

skills:

1. can evaluate hazards to the natural soil environment, and manage it

2. is able to predict the effects of environmentally harmful decisions

social competences:

1. aware of the relationships between agrocenoses and the natural environment