LDD-30806 Physical Aspects of Land Management

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

Approximately 30 % of the earth surface is covered by land, varying from hot deserts to snow-capped mountains and poles. Land combines the natural resources of soil, water and vegetation, which are of crucial importance for food production. The properties of land may be negatively affected by bad land management, often leading to land degradation problems (salinization, erosion, and nutrient depletion) and a reduction in the production potential. To make sure that land remains productive now and in the future, adequate land management is needed.
This course deals with the bio-physical aspects of land and the tools available to analyze land use and management. In the lectures, the following topics related to land management are presented: the concept of 'land management'; physical, chemical and biological aspects of land; soil physics; hydrology; soil fertility; cropping systems; good practices of land management; bad practices of land management; techniques for land management analysis; improving land management. During practical work land use and management of an area in East Africa is analyzed using GIS and modelling. Solutions to overcome the main problems will be developed and a plan for improved land management will be made.

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this course the student will:
- have basic knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological aspects of land;
- understand good and bad land management practices;
- be able to work with tools for land management analysis and improvement.

Activities:

- attendance of lectures;
- studying lecture notes and journal articles;
- practical work with remote sensing, GIS and modeling.

Examination:

Written examination.

Literature:

Reader based on several book chapters and journal articles.