Forest Soils and Conservation – Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra

Base Knowledge

Knowledge of Geology and/or Pedology, Biology and Chemistry.

Teaching Methodologies

In order to achieve the objectives of the UC and provide students with the expected skills, 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 execution of practical works of application of the theoretical concepts.

Learning Results

As a result of learning, the student:

1) Know the soil identification systems.

2) Understands the role of the soil as a support for natural and forest spaces.

3) Understands the distribution process and dynamics of nutrients in the forest ecosystem.

4) Understand the effect of forestry activities on the soil

Program

1) Soil classification according to the Portuguese system (SROA/CNROA) and WRB 2006. Interpretive classification.

2) Interaction of soil characteristics and properties with the various functions it performs as a support for natural and forest spaces (storage of water and nutrients, physical support for plants, habitat for numerous species of living beings and intervention in the carbon cycle).

3) Distribution and dynamics of nutrients in the forest ecosystem; methodologies for the determination of nutrient balances.

4) Effects and impacts of forest operations (soil preparation, cutting, deforestation, thinning, fertilization, controlled fire) on soil properties, evaluating the positive and negative impacts of different practices.

Curricular Unit Teachers

Maria Filomena Parreira Miguens

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

Basic Bibliography:

AGASSI, M. – Soil Erosion, Conservation and Rehabilitation. Marcel Dekker, Inc. N. York, 1996.

Attiwill, P.M; Leeper, G.W., 1987. Forest Soils and Nutrient Cycles. Melbourne University Press.

Binkley, D.; Fisher, R.F. – Ecology and Management of Forest Soils – 5ª Ed. Wiley Blackwell, 2021.

Brady, N.C.; Weil, R.R. 2002 – The Nature and Properties of Soils. 13ªEd. Mac Millan Pearson Education Inc. New Jersey.

Cardoso, J. C., Bessa, M. T. & Marado M. B. 1973. Carta de Solos de Portugal (1:1000 000). Agronomia Lusitana 33 : 481 – 602.

Wigley, T.M.L., Schimel, D.S. 2000 – The Carbon Cycle. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge.

World reference base for soil resources 2006. World Soil Resources Reports. FAO

Complementary Bibliography:

Ricardo, R. P. 1969. Génese e Evolução dos Solos. ISA, Lisboa.

Sousa, E. C. 1990. Classificação dos Solos – 1 ª Parte. ISA, Lisboa.

Sousa, E. C. 1991. Classificação dos Solos – 2 ª Parte. ISA, Lisboa.

Legislation and other updated documents, in electronic format, provided by the teacher