Jakość gleby

The course aims to learn about the threats that reduce soil quality. The definition, methods and assess the soil quality is described. The transformation of the environment by a human, the factors causing soil degradation are elaborated and the reclamation process is explained.

Subject of lecture

1 Soil-related ecosystem services

2 Land degradation and soil threats

3 Physical deterioration of soil

4 Chemical soil degradation

5 Biological soil degradation

6 Soil erosion

7 Concept of biological and chemical soil quality and their interrelations

8 Advantages and disadvantages of the use of various soil quality indicators

9 Basic concepts (legal and ecological definition of reclamation),

10 Legal conditions for reclamation in Europe

11 Types of transformation of the natural environment caused by industrial activities

12 The ways of reclamation, soil reclamation techniques

13 Post-fire treatments to restore soils function

14 Soil and ecosystem development in post-mining sites

15 Future perspectives, a possible solution

Subject of classes

1 Case study: a discussion based on the articles given by the teacher: soil quality in the field of environmental pollution

2 Case study: a discussion based on the articles given by the teacher: soil quality in the field of sustainable agriculture,

3 Case study: a discussion based on the articles given by the teacher: soil quality in the field land-use change,

4 Case study: a discussion based on the articles given by the teacher: soil quality in the field and climate change

5-7 Examples of reclamation (student’s presentation) e.g. Bełchatów lignite mine, Szczakowa sand mine, Sokolov, Cottbus, Zasavje etc.

8 Soil quality assessment in the field

9 Soil quality evaluation based on physical properties part 1

10 Soil quality evaluation based on physical properties part 2

11 Soil quality evaluation based on chemical properties, part 1

12 Soil quality evaluation based on chemical properties, part 2

13 Soil quality evaluation based on biological properties, part1

14 Soil quality evaluation based on biological properties, part 2

15 Discussion – preventing soil degradation

The subject of field classes

Examples of areas covered by remediation - field activities

1. Frouz, Jan, ed. Soil biota and ecosystem development in post mining sites. CRC Press, 2013,

2. Wirth, Peter, Barbara Černič Mali, and Wolfgang Fischer. "Post-Mining Regions in Central Europe." Digital Print Group: Nurnberg, Germany,2012,

3. Hillel, Daniel. Soil in the environment: crucible of terrestrial life. Elsevier, 2007,

4. Nielsen M.N. Winding A. Binnerup S. Microorganisms as indicators of soil health. Denmark: National Environmental Search institute, 2002.

5. Publication recommended during classes by the teacher

KNOWLEDGE - student knows and understands:

1 Student knows the relationships that occur in degraded soils in the soil-plant-atmosphere system

2 Student expanded and strengthened knowledge about the transformation of the environment by a human, knows the factors causing soil degradation

3 Student knows the indexes used to assess soil quality

SKILLS - the graduate can

1 Student has the ability to analyse and select information, especially from online sources critically

2 Student has the ability to formulate reasonable judgments based on data from different sources

3 Student fluently uses scientific literature in the field of environmental protection, reads and understands complicated scientific texts in English

4 Student can evaluate soil quality

SOCIAL COMPETENCIES - graduate:

1 Student can interact and work in a group and takes part in the discussion

2 Student is aware of the social role of the master of soil science and responsibility related to decisions taken as part of professional activity based on professionalism, respect for the law, rules of professional ethics and social norms, including responsibility for the quality of the environment and its proper development

3 Student understands the need to learn throughout life, can inspire and organise the learning process of other people

Written test exam, for passing an examination at least 60% of questions should be answered correctly. The contribution of the evaluation of the lectures in the final grade is 50%. A written field study report.

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