Base Knowledge
Basic knowledge of biology
Teaching Methodologies
In order to achieve the objectives of the UC and the acquirement of the competences foreseen for the students, the teaching/learning process is based on:
– case studies, accompanied by a set of instructions that lead the student to analyze them, draw conclusions and make decisions or suggest actions;
– the identification and characterization of profiles corresponding to different types of soils;
– the execution of practical work to apply theoretical concepts, which can be numerical, laboratory or field in nature;
– the bibliographical research necessary to complement the information obtained in the classes and for the realization of the reports.
Learning Results
During the course it is intended that students acquire the following skills:
1) Know the internal structure of the Earth, the phenomena associated with it and the implications for plate tectonics, earthquakes and the type of volcanoes. Know the major types of rocks, their genesis, composition and aspects related to weathering.Visually identify the various types of rocks. Identify the different types of relief and orogenesis.
2) Identify the constituents of soils and their effects on the quality of the soil as a porous medium where water and gaseous transfers occur and as a means of transforming polluting substances.
3) Identify the factors and processes responsible for the formation and differentiation of natural soils, soils used for agricultural production and the role of soil in the transformation and remediation of polluting substances.
4) Understand soil degradation processes and practices that contribute to the conservation and improvement of soil in terms of hydrological characteristics and as an ecosystem support.
5) Distinguish the main types of soil and know the soil classification systems.
Program
Part I (20%): Earth’s internal structure, tectonic plates, earthquakes and types of volcanoes. Types of rocks, their genesis, composition and weathering. Types of relief and orogenesis
Part II (40%): Mineral and organic constituents of the soil; Origin of mineral and organic constituents; Organic matter and the carbon cycle; Physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil; Effects of soil constitution and properties on soil quality as a means of transforming and remediating pollutants; soil water: content; infiltration of water into soil; water retention and movement in saturated and unsaturated soil; water availability to plants.
Part III (40%) hydrological cycle. Soil formation factors; soil formation processes and evolution; main soil types in Portugal. Soil functions in terrestrial ecosystems. Types of erosion: wind and water; factors and processes and soil conservation practices; methodologies to estimate soil loss: the universal soil loss equation (USLE).
Grading Methods
Continuous evaluation:
Part I: Skill 1. It has a weight of 20% in the final grade.
The classification obtained in the Geology component of the UC Geology and Climatology obtained by students in the 2023-2024 academic year will be considered.
Part II: Skill 2. The evaluation is performed through:
a) Written Test (Te 75%);
b) Delivery of reports of 2 works developed in practical classes (RP 25%).
Part II has a 40% weight in the final grade.
Part III: Skills 3,4 and 5. The evaluation is carried out through:
a) Case study with written report preparation (RE = 50%R1+50%R2) (50%): Report 1 (R1): Formation and soil classification; Report 2 (R2): Application of the Universal Soil Loss equation (USLE).
b) written test (TE 50%).
Part III has a 40% weight in the UC final grade.
Final Examination:
Written test that contemplates the syllabus of the curriculum unit, approved with a minimum classification of 9.5 values. The grade obtained in the Geology component of the UC Geology and Climatology, in the previous academic year, will be included in the final exam grade with a rate of 20%. If the student performed the R1 and R2 related to Part II the average classifications obtained may complement the exam grade (75% of the examination and 25% of the grade obtained in the reports, 50% R1+50% R2).
Internship(s)
NAO
Bibliography
BONNEAU, M., SOUCHIER, B. – Constituants et Propriétés du Sol. Masson, Paris, 1994
BRADY, N.C.; WEIL, R.R. – The Nature and Properties of Soils. 13ªEd. Mac Millan Pearson Education Inc. New Jersey, 2002.
CARDOSO, J. C., BESSA, M. T., MARADO M. B. – Carta de Solos de Portugal(1 : 1 000 000). Agronomia Lusitana 33 : 481 – 602, 1973.
CARVALHO, A.. M. G. Morfogénese e Sedimentogénese, Universidade Aberta, Lisboa. 1996
CARVALHO, A. M. G. Petrogénese e Orogénese, Universidade Aberta, Lisboa. 1997.
CARVALHO, A. M. G. Introdução ao Estudo dos Minerais. Editora Âncora, 2ª Edição, 2008.
COSTA, J. B. – Caracterização e Constituição do Solo. 7ªEd., F.C.G., Lisboa, 2004. FOTH, H. D. – Fundamentals of Soil Science. John Wiley and Sons, 1978.
HILLEL, D. – Environmental Soil Physics. Academic Press. New York, 1998
GARDINER, D. T., MILLER, R. W. – Soils in our Environment. Ed.Pearson.New Jersey, 2004.
RICARDO, R. P. – Génese e Evolução dos Solos. ISA, Lisboa, 1969 TAM, K. H.- Environmental Soil Science. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York,1994
VARENNES A. (2003). Produtividade dos Solos e Ambiente. Escolar editora.
WIGLEY, T.M.L., SCHIMEL, D. S. – The Carbon Cycle. Cambridge University Press, 2000