Course Description
Course provides fundamental soil science and hydrology concepts necessary to understand how land management actions, specifically farming, horticulture, forestry, and urbanization, alter soil productivity, soil sustainability, and water quality at the site and watershed scales, from small watersheds to enormous watersheds.
Athena Title
Soils and Hydrology
Pre or Corequisite
(CHEM 1211-1211D or CHEM 1311H or CHEM 1411) and (CHEM 1211L or CHEM 1311L or CHEM 1411L)
Corequisite
CRSS(FANR) 3060L
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The overall objective of the course is to give students a basic background in soil science and hydrology, including key concepts in these fields such as: - how to describe and interpret landscape and soil profile information in the field and from soil maps; - how to read and interpret topographic and hydrologic information within a landscape and watershed framework; - basic familiarity with key soil properties and how they relate to soil management and productivity; - understanding of the hydrologic cycle and how management affects hydrologic processes in forest and cultivated settings; and - the effect of management on environmental quality in terms of soil productivity and water quality.
Topical Outline
1. Landscapes a. Landscapes: soil, water, rock b. Views of a landscape c. Watersheds and landscape formation Lab 1: Maps; Rocks and Soil Profiles 2. Soil Profiles and Their Formation a. Weathering of rocks b. Soil profile formation c. Soil horizons Lab 2: Soil Properties and Profiles 3. Soil Horizons and Classification a. The soil taxonomy system b. Diagnostic horizons c Soil orders Lab 3: Soil Profiles and Classification (field trip, Whitehall Forest) 4. Physical Properties of Soils a. Soil texture b. Soil density and porosity c. Managing soil physical properties Lab 4: Soil and Landscape Interpretation (field trip, Whitehall Forest) 5. Chemical Properties of Soils a. Soil mineralogy b. pH and ion exchange c. Acidity and salinity Lab 5: Measuring Soil Physical Properties (in 1201 Plant Sci.) Exam 1 (Wks 1-4) 6. Plant Nutrients a. Plant nutrition and essential elements b. N, P, and K in soils c. Microelements Lab 6: Cation Exchange Capacity (in 1201 Plant Sci.) 7. Soil Biology and Productivity a. Soil organisms b. Roles of soil organisms (humus and nutrient cycling) c. Productivity of agricultural and forest soils Lab 7: Soil Sampling (field trip) 8. Fertilization a. Fertilizers b. Nutrient and soil management c. Sustainability Lab 8: Soil Testing and Organic Matter (in 1201 Plant Sci.) 9. Soil Water a. Interaction of water with soil b. Storage capacity of soils and profiles c. Water flow in soils Lab 9: Soil Water (in 1201 Plant Sci.) Exam 2 (Wks 5-8) 10. Precipitation and Evapotranspiration a. Precipitation forms, storm events and measurement b. Evapotranspiration c. Field water budgets No Lab (Fall Break: No class Th, F) 11. Infiltration, Streamflow, and Ground Water a. Infiltration (forest and crop land) b. Sources of stream flow c. Aquifers Lab 10: Soil and Water Calculations (in 1201 Plant Sci.) 12. Hydrologic Statistics and Hydraulics a. Hydrographs b. Basic hydraulics c. Management effects on hydrology Lab 11: Rainfall and Runoff (field trip--Greenhouse Complex) Exam 3 (Wks 9-11) 13. Erosion and Sedimentation a. Importance of erosion b. Erosion mechanics c. Erosion control Lab 12: Measuring Streamflow (field trip) [Thanksgiving Break] CLASS HELD ON MON; NO LAB 14. Soil Quality and Contamination a. Soil contamination— kinds, sources b. Movement of contaminants in the landscape c. Risk assessment and soil management Lab 13: Discharge and Soil Erosion (in 1201 Plant Sci.) Exam 4 (Wks 12-14) 15. Issues in Water Quality a. Water quality regulations (T is F schedule; no class F) b. Components of water quality c. Managing landscapes for water quality Optional lab: Watershed Management (field trip, Botanical Gardens)
Syllabus