Forest Soils

To achieve the objectives of the course, the teaching and learning process is based on: In case studies, together with a set of instructions that lead the student to analyze them, draw conclusions and make decisions or suggest actions, the implementation of practical application of theoretical concepts, which can either be numerical in nature, as laboratory or field; bibliographic research necessary to supplement the information obtained in class and for carry out reports.
Components to be classified and assessment tools:
Module 1 – 50% Composition and soil properties. Soil fertility. Case study (50%) and test (50%).
Module 2 – 50% Soil formation and differentiation. Conservation and soil erosion. Case study (50%) and test (50%).

A overall goal is to increase and improve forest production without degrading the environment, it requires a more controlled natural resources management, particularly the soil. This course addresses the issues of formation, characterization, conservation and soil fertility, erosion and effect of forest fires. It is structured to provide students with the fundamentals and methods appropriate to the acquisition of skills for the proper use of Soil, in particular within forest ecosystems. This course aims to enable the student with knowledge about:
1) The constituents and properties of soils and their effects on soil quality.
2) The dynamics of mineral elements in the soil-plant-atmosphere and the importance of fertility physical, chemical and biological soil.
3) The general factors and processes responsible for the formation and differentiation of soils.
4) The soil degradative processes and practices that contribute to the conservation and improvement of soil quality.

Functions of soils in terrestrial ecosystems.
Mineral and organic soil constituents; Mineralogy soil; organic matter and the carbon cycle.
Soil properties and and its relation with the composition.
Soil water: content, retention and movement in unsaturated and saturated soil, water availability for plants.
Effects of the composition and properties of soil on plant growth.
The plant growth. Biogeochemical cycle and balance of plant nutrients in a forest ecosystem.
Factors and processes of soil formation; Horizons Diagnostics; Main soil types.
Types of erosion: wind and water; factors and processes, soil conservation practices; universal equation of soil loss.Effects of forest fire on soil  structure, water infiltration, concentration of runoff and soil losses by erosion.

• - Module 1 - 50.0%
• - Module 2 - 50.0%

NAO

AGASSI, M. – Soil Erosion, Conservation and Rehabilitation. Marcel Dekker, Inc. N. York, 1996.
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.
COSTA, J. B. – Caracterização e Constituição do Solo. 7ªEd., F.C.G., Lisboa, 2004.
FISHER, R. F.; BINKLEY, D.- Ecology and Management of Forest Soils. 3ªEd. John Wiley and Sons, 2000.
FOTH, H. D. – Fundamentals of Soil Science. John Wiley and Sons, 1978.
PRITCHETT, W.; FISHER, R.F. – Properties and Management of Forest Soils – 2ª Ed. John Wiley and Sons. NYork, 1987.
RICARDO, R. P. – Génese e Evolução dos Solos. ISA, Lisboa, 1969.
TAM, K. H.- Environmental Soil Science. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, 1994.
WIGLEY, T.M.L., SCHIMEL, D. S. – The Carbon Cycle.Cambridge University  Press.Cambridge, 2000.