GES2130

Soils, land use and the environment

Dr John Grindrod and Ms Kate Brown

4 points
* 2.5 hours per week on average (2 lectures and 1 lecture and 2-hour practical in alternate weeks)
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: A first-year sequence in geography, or permission of head

Objectives By completing this subject students should be able to describe and classify soils according to the two main classification schemes currently in use in Australia (the `Northcote' and `Isbell' schemes); explain the formation of the principal soil types found in SE Australia; summarise the nature and causes of the main Australian soil management issues in the late twentieth century, and the general ways in which they relate to broader social issues; demonstrate understanding of the ways in which these issues may be addressed.

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 subject, students must be able to use the standard soil classification schemes currently in use in Australia. 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%
* Examinations (one and a half 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