Ecology and Management of Wildland Soils

Catalog description

Two Lecture. Three Lab. Wildland Soils. This course focuses on wildland soils (including but not limited to forest soils), rather than agricultural soils. This course will provide an overview of the chemical, physical, and biological properties of wildland soils; development and classification of soils; and the ways in which soils and society interact, including how disturbances and land management activities influence soil properties, and the role of soils in global climate change. Field trips may be required. Students will be able to: describe the properties of wildland soils as a medium for plant growth; demonstrate a general knowledge of the primary groups of soil biota and their ecological roles; demonstrate an understanding of the basis of soil classification; become familiar with regionally relevant soil orders; perform soil surveys; demonstrate an understanding of the various ways in which society impacts and is impacted by soils. Prerequisite(s): BIO 181 Pre/Corequisite(s): BIO 182, CHM 130 or CHM 151