Soils, landscape and their management
Associate Professor Paul Bishop and Mr Geoff Goldrick
6 points * 3 hours per week on average (2 lectures and 1 lecture plus 3-hour practical in alternate weeks) * Second semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: GES2130
Objectives By completing this subject students should be able to exhibit a high level of skills in mapping, field description and identification of soils; assess the current explanations for various soil and landscape management problems, by critical evaluation of data from the literature and the field; place soil and land management issues in their broader social, economic and institutional settings, acknowledging that `technical' considerations may ultimately constitute only a small part of the total issue.
Synopsis This subject builds on GES2130 to explore in greater depth the relationships of soil materials to the landscape, the processes responsible for their development, and the issues associated with their management. Students are presented with a number of soil use and management issues, and explore the causes of these issues and their potential solutions in the light of the concepts of ecologically sustainable development and integrated catchment management. Discussion is also concentrated upon land capability assessment and other management issues in a small catchment in Victoria.
Assessment Written (2000 words): 40% * Examinations (2 hours): 30% * Practical work/fieldwork: 30%
Prescribed texts
McDonald R C and others Australian soil and land survey - field handbook 2nd edn, Inkata Press, 1990
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