SOQ-32806 Biological Interactions in Soils

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Ecology - I; Introductory course in Soil Science.

Continuation courses:

ESS-31806 Earth's Biogeochemical Cycles and Climate Change; SOQ-31806 Nutrient Management; SOQ-35306 The Carbon Dilemma.

Contents:

Note: Due to constraints on the greenhouse and lab facilities, there is a limited number of places available. Students are therefore encouraged to register as early as possible. Students for whom this course is compulsory or restricted optional take precedence. The deadline for registration is one week earlier than usual. See 2014/2015 Academic Year (www.wageningenur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/Current-Students/Agenda-Calendar-Academic-Year.htm) -> Registration for Courses 2014-2015.

This course deals with interactions between soil organisms and soil in the context of cycles of C, N and P. Important topics of soil fertility and global change will be addressed. Keywords: organic matter decomposition and nutrient mineralization, reactions of plants to excess and deficiency, role of plants, mycorrhizas and soil fauna in C, N and P cycles, soil structure, greenhouse gas emissions. The practical will train basic experimental techniques in soil biology and fertility, experimental design and processing of data. Part of the experiments can be designed by the students so that they complete the whole experimental cycle.

Learning outcomes:

After this course the students should be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the main interactions in the soil between plants, nutrients and soil biota;
- demonstrate insight in the effects of human-induced disturbances on these interactions;
- critically evaluate and discuss conflicting views in the literature on key biotic interactions in the soil;
- design, execute and report experiments that quantify interactions between biota and cycles of carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen.

Activities:

- lectures:
- practical's (hypothesis formulation and testing; reporting).

Examination:

- written exam (40%);
- assignment (20%);
- practical reports (40%).

Literature:

Reader: Biological Interactions in Soil.