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Basic soil properties; soil formation and soils in the New Zealand landscape; soil chemical and physical properties which are important to sustainable land use and environmental protection; assessment of soil nutrient availability, particularly with respect to forests.
Soil is the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems and plays a vital role in both agriculture and forestry. Soil is a dynamic system where physical and chemical processes interact to support life, regulate water, and cycle nutrients. Understanding soil processes is essential for managing landscapes sustainably. Whether cultivating crops or managing forests, healthy soils are key to resilient ecosystems. By integrating soil science into land use planning, we can ensure that agricultural and forestry systems remain productive and environmentally sound for generations to come. The course starts with basic soil processes and soil formation, explains important aspects of nutrient cycling and soil management, and gives an overview about erosion and land use, specifically important in New Zealand landscapes.
1. Be able to describe soil properties which are important to sustainable land use and environmental protection including soil formation (EEI1, EEI3)2. Demonstrate an understanding of soil formation and soil types in New Zealand (EEI1)3. Apply knowledge of soil chemical and physical properties to sustainable land use and environmental protection problems (EEI1, EEI3, EEI4, EEI5, CE3)4. Explain nutrient availability in New Zealand soils (EEI3, GA2)5. Describe nutrient cycling and assess soil fertility in New Zealand forests (EEI4, GA3)
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Engaged with the community
Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
SOIL203
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Juergen Esperschuetz
Domestic fee $1,190.00
International fee $5,875.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Forestry .