LAD-31806 Field Training Geosciences

Vak

Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

LAD-30306 Inventory Techniques for Geosciences and GRS-33306 Advanced GIS for Earth and Environment. Students who have not been admitted to the MSc Earth and Environment and are interested in taking this course should contact the contact person

Continuation courses:

MSc Thesis Land Dynamics and / or MSc Internship Land Dynamics

Contents:

Reading and understanding the landscape at different spatial and temporal resolutions and extents going from geology and geomorphology to soils and land use, from pit to slope to catchment to basin, and from long term geological processes, landscape evolution and soil formation to short term water availability and soil erosion. In this course students have to build up their own spatial database from fieldwork on landscape properties concerning soils (classification and properties), slope processes and land use. With the obtained information for example the water balance, land use systems, soil erosion and feedbacks between the aforementioned can be modelled.
Note: there is an early registration for this course. The course includes an own financial contribution. Check with the contact person.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- describe the spatial variation in soil classification and properties in the Alora region as a function of geology, geomorphology and land use;
- predict the spatial variation in soil properties in similar regions based on geographic reasoning;
- design a catena-based sampling strategy for mapping of soils and land use;
- adequately use modern geo-referenced soil mapping techniques;
- analyze soil maps in terms of i) suitability for different land uses or ii) as input in modeling (e.g. soil redistribution).

Activities:

Introduction field area in lectures during excursions and fieldtrips, surveying and mapping practical in the field concerning geology, soil (properties) and land use, 1 day excursion out of the area in a broader regional context, create your own GIS-based database, evaluate the role of the landscape in soils and catena's, land use, land suitability, water balance and soil redistribution.

Examination:

Presence and participation is compulsory (4 weeks abroad). Examination is based on 2 tests (written exams 50%), work evaluation (attitude and presentation 25%) and final group report (25%).

Literature:

Reader Field Guide (Spain).