MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

GES2130

Soils, land use and the environment

P Bishop and G Goldrick

Synopsis This subject introduces soils and their management through the following topics: the constituents of soils, soil-forming processes and models of soil formation, soil characteristics and soil classification, and the principal issues in the management of Australian soils. By the end of the course, students must be able to use the standard soil classification schemes currently in use in Australia (Northcote and Isbell). In the management section of the unit, particular emphasis is placed on relating the management issues to pedogenesis and soils characteristics, rather than treating these two aspects in isolation from each other. The human dimension of soil management issues is introduced towards the end of the unit.

Assessment Written 2000 words: 40% + Examination (1.5 hours): 50% + Practical work/fieldwork: 10%

Prescribed texts

• Notes to be purchased 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

• Chisholm A and Dumsday R Land degradation: Problems and policies CUP, 1987
• Gerrard A J Soils and landforms Allen and Unwin, 1981
• Gunn R H Australian soils and land survey handbook: Guidelines for conducting surveys Inkata Press, 1988
• Lawrence G and others Agriculture, environment and society Macmillan, 1992
• McTainsh G H and Boughton W C Land Degradation processes in Australia Longman Cheshire, 1993
• Paton T R The formation of soil material Allen and Unwin, 1978