Soils, land use and the environment
Associate Professor Paul Bishop, Mr Geoff Goldrick and Dr John Grindrod
8 points * 5 hours per week * First semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: A first-year sequence in geography, or permission of head of department * Two 1-hour lectures and a 3-hour practical
This introduction to soil science deals with soil-forming processes, soil constituents, soil classification, the physical and chemical properties of soils, the management of soils under agriculture and the importance of soils in land use planning. The environmental implications of human use and misuse of the land will be studied using Victorian examples.
Assessment
Written (4000 words): 35% * Examinations (2 hours): 40% * Practical work/Fieldwork: 25%
Prescribed texts
Notes to be obtained from department at start of subject
McDonald R C and others Australian soil and land survey - field handbook 2nd edn, Inkata Press, 1990
Recommended texts
Charman P E V and Murphy B W Soils - their properties and management Sydney UP, 1991
Chisholm A and Dumsday R Land degradation: Problems and policies CUP, 1987
Hallsworth E G Anatomy, physiology and psychology of erosion Wiley, 1987
Russell J S and Isbell R F (eds) Australian soils: The human impacts UQP, 1986