Documentation:Open Case Studies/SOIL

Introduction

Dr. Maja Krzic and Dr. Sandra Brown are the lead course instructors.

The course APBI 402/SOIL 502 focuses on the application of fundamental, unifying, soil science principles in sustainable management of forested, agricultural, and urban or constructed ecosystems.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of APBI 402/SOIL 502, students will be able to:

1. Describe processes of soil genesis, recognize diagnostic features of natural soils, and relate management practices to information available in soil survey reports.
2. Utilize physical, chemical, and biological soil quality indicators to assess sustainability of land management practices.
3. Characterize the soil chemical environment and its modification to enhance plant, animal, and human health.
   • Specific topics may include: liming, fertilization, and remediation of chemical contamination
4. Describe the soil biological processes with regard to nutrient cycling and management of organic inputs.
   • Specific topics may include: maintenance of soil organic matter, carbon sequestration, and recycling of various organic materials such as manures biosolids, and green manures.
5. Describe the soil physical environment and its manipulation and/or degradation in ecosystem management.
   • Specific topics may include: compaction, trafficability, water management, soil erosion
6. Discuss the relationship of soil management to government and private sector policies.
   • Specific topics may include Forest Practice Code, urban development regulation, right to farm and farmland preservation legislation, environmental farm planning, and land reclamation legislation

Case Study Assignment

Over a period of four weeks, students are asked to complete an agricultural land management regime in which to pursue the case study learning outcomes. Each case will conclude with seminars from each group to enable a comparison of approaches within different land uses. Individual students will prepare 1,000 word reports summarizing their own personal learning for each case. Groups will be organized to facilitate interdisciplinary discussion and to provide opportunities for students from different programs to benefit from their varied experience and educational backgrounds.

Case Studies

• Soil Fertility Assessment for the UBC Farm
• Regrounding Riley Park: a Foundation for Sustainable Soil Management
• Effects of Variable Retention Harvesting on Soil Microbial Communities in Coastal BC Forests
• Effects of Long-Term Grazing on Rangeland Soil Quality in Southern BC
• Soil Quality of Forest Landings
• Soil Erosion on Sloping Agricultural Lands in the Middle Mountains of Nepal
• Forest Nutrition Management
• Vancouver Landfill
• Soil Fauna and Rangelands
• Soil Fauna on Long-term Soil Productivity Sites in BC