GES2130

Soils, Land Use and the Environment (6 points)

(ARTS)

Leader: Dr Meredith Orr

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2003 (Day)
South Africa Second semester 2003 (Day)
Clayton First semester 2004 (Day)

Synopsis: Introduction to soils and their management. Topics include soil constituents and charachteristics; Australian soil types and their formation; soil description, classification and mapping; physical causes of land degradation; and soil management issues. Practical and field work should enable students to describe and classify soils in the field, and identify the nature and causes of land degradation.

Assessment: Written (2000 words): 40% + Examinations (2 hours): 50% + Practical work/fieldwork: 10%

Contact Hours: 4 hours per week (two lectures per week and one 2-hour practical per fortnight, plus one 2-day field trip)