PPS-30806 Analysing Sustainability of Farming Systems

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures20
Practical intensively supervised20
Tutorial25
Self-study
Course coordinator(s)ing. HCA Rijk
Lecturer(s)prof. dr. KE Giller
dr. ir. L Bastiaans
ing. HCA Rijk
dr. ir. ing. AGT Schut
ing. MTMH Lubbers
dr. ir. KKE Descheemaeker
ir. MJ Zijlstra
Examiner(s)prof. dr. KE Giller

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

PPS-20306 Systems Analysis, Simulation and Systems Management; PAME: Plant, Animal, Man and Environment. http://www.pame.wur.nl/ module 2: plant production; CSA-20306 Plant-Soil Interactions.

Contents:

The course presents a sustainability analysis of relevant processes in crops, cropping systems and grasslands. The time horizon extends from days to several growing seasons; analyses include the soil balances of water, nutrients and carbon. Emission and external effects of emissions are treated. Insight is gained into: natural agro-ecological and socio-economic determinants of cropping systems; multiple cropping systems including intercropping, crop rotations and agroforestry; long-term carbon and nutrient balances of agro-ecosystems; soil degradation and its determinants. The student will use relevant dynamic models and tools for spatial analysis including GIS.

Learning outcomes:

After thoroughly studying the written materials, preparing and critically following the lectures and performing the practical's, you should be able to:
- demonstrate insight into the agro-ecological and socio-economic determinants of cropping and grassland systems;
- describe and explain the benefits and disadvantages of multiple cropping systems including intercropping, crop rotations and agroforestry;
- interpret long-term carbon and nutrient balances of agro-ecosystems;
- illustrate soil degradation and its determinants;
- evaluate cropping systems and grassland management systems with respect to sustainability indices e.g. (soil quality, water and nutrient productivity) and external effects;
- apply relevant dynamic models and tools for spatial analysis including GIS;
- quantify the major interactions that occur between different components (soils, crops, fodder, livestock) of production systems in time and space.

Activities:

- actively attending lectures;
- analyses of case studies;
- preparing and discussing oral presentations;
- computer practical's on relevant models.

Examination:

- the learning outcomes of the course are assessed by a written exam consisting of open questions and an essay; no books are allowed.
- the mark attained must be at least 5.5 to be successful, and counts for 65%.
- the continual assessment of presentations and assignments (oral and/or reports) counts for 35% of the mark; also here the mark should be at least 5.5.

Literature:

Study guide and syllabus.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Restricted Optional for: MPSPlant SciencesMScC: Natural Resource Management5AF
MPSPlant SciencesMScA: Crop Science5AF
MinorPeriod
Compulsory for: WUSPPBSc Minor Systems in Plant Production5AF