Postgraduate Course: Soil Ecology and Taxonomy (PGGE11221)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | In the Soil Ecology and Taxonomy course we introduce you to soils and soil biodiversity in terms of the major participants involved in key soil processes, functions, fertility and overall soil health. In addition the course discusses the challenges soils face in relation to degradation, pollution and intensification. The course will explore strategies to improve sustainable soil use to conserve soil biodiversity while maintaining functions and ecosystem services |
| Course description |
The course will be delivered over the following 10 teaching periods:
Week 1: Fundamentals of Soil Science
Soil formation, composition and development. Soil characterisation and key properties. Soil Functions and Ecosystem Services (Run jointly with Soil Protection & Management course, includes a morning lecture with an afternoon field trip)
Week 2: An Introduction to Soil Biology
From genes to ecosystem services: Soil microbiological groups & food web. Who are the key players, groups and hierarchy
Week3: Role of Soil Ecology in Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling:
Resource quality and litter breakdown and decomposition; Role of soil fauna in nutrient cycling and nutrient turnover
Week4: Soil Health
What is Soil health (characteristics & indicators of healthy soils and role of microorganisms as indicators); Soil biological management for sustainable soil health;
Week 5: Agroecology and Agroforestry Role of soil biology in agronomic management in sustainable agriculture. Ecosystem recovery and resilience
Week 6: Soil Biological Monitoring Techniques:
Lab/Field session to look over common techniques
Week 7: Soil Ecological Bioremediation¿1
Microbially driven bioremediation of metal contaminants. Theory and latest research advances in this field
Week 8: Soil Ecological Bioremediation 2
Microbially driven bioremediation of organic (hydrocarbon) contaminants. Including site investigation and engineering aspects to put it into an industrial context
Week 9: Assessed presentations
List of titles to be agreed beforehand ¿ this will be discussed in Week 1 papers
Week 10: Course content overview and discussion. Discussion of posters; List of papers to choose from to be agreed beforehand ¿ this will be discussed in Week 1
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | No |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 30 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 10,
Formative Assessment Hours 10,
Summative Assessment Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
136 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
10% for oral presentation
30% for poster
60% for essay
|
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the key groups of soil biota and identify the role of these groups in ecosystem processes and services
- Develop fundamental knowledge of biological interactions contributing to major biogeochemical nutrient cycles, climate change mitigation and the role of soil biology in agricultural production and alleviating pollution
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Reading List
Paul E.A. (2015) Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry 4th Edition. ISBN 978-0-12-415955-6.
Ritz. K., Wall., D. H., Bardgett, R.D. et al. (2013) Soil Ecology and Ecosystem Services. ISBN-13: 978-0199688166.
Bargett R.D., Wardle D. A. (2010) Aboveground-Belowground Linkages: Biotic Interactions, Ecosystem Processes, and Global Change (Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution). ISBN-10: 0199546886
Killham, K. (1994) Soil Ecology, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0 521 43521 8.
Robertson GP, Coleman DC, Bledsoe CS, Sollins P, editors. (1999) Standard soil methods for long-term ecological research. New York: Oxford University Press; pp. 258¿271.
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Additional Information
| Course URL |
http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/21-22/dpt/cxpgge11221.htm |
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Students will acquire and develop the following transferable
skills:
1. General analytical understanding of tests pertinent to soil biota assessment in a range of setting and environments
2. Organisation skills to plan, execute and report on
scientific investigation.
3. To participate in individual and team activities toward the completion of assignments and goals.
4. Critically evaluate literature, to identify gaps in knowledge, synergies. |
| Special Arrangements |
None |
| Study Abroad |
No |
| Keywords | axonomy,Biodiversity,Function,Land Use and Ecosystem Services |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Sarah Buckingham
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Jennifer Gumbrell
Tel:
Email: |
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