International classification of European soils 2800-OG-EN-ICES

The rules of soil profile description. Diagnostic role of soil texture, color, structure and morphological and chemical features (field research and laboratory analysis). Principles and field identification of diagnostic soil horizons, properties and materials. Historical background, concept and structure of international soil classification system - World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). Characterisation of Reference Soil Groups (RSG) - properties, geographical extent, ecological conditions and land use. Subdivisions of RSGs using the principal and supplementary qualifiers. Spatial soil variability in Europe - general overview and case studies. Environmental significance and protection of soils. The need for the integration of local classification systems on European level and the correlation of the national classifications with WRB.

Total student workload

Contact hours with teacher: - lectures - 15 - tutorials - 15 - field classes - 30 Self-study hours: - preparation for classes and lectures – 40 - preparation for field classes - 40 - preparation for tests - 30 - project - 30 - consultations - 10 sum: 210 godz. (8 ECTS)

Learning outcomes - knowledge

Student W1: Student knows the concept and rules of soil classification according to the WRB system; W2: Student knows the diagnostic methods and techniques required for soil evaluation, in line with international guidelines; W3: Student knows professional national and international terminology in soils science;

Learning outcomes - skills

Student U1: Student is able to describe the soil profile following the international guidelines and to recognize the diagnostic horizons, properties and materials; U2: Student is able to classify soils according to WRB system based on the field diagnosis and laboratory analysis; U3: Student is able to correlate soil units of the national classification with the Reference Soil Groups of the WRB.

Learning outcomes - social competencies

Student K1: Student cooperates in a group and fulfill the duties relevant to the role in a group; K2: Student indicates priorities when planning the work; coordinates self-work and work of the group; K3: Student understands the necessity of self-study and the need for an integration of soil classification systems on European level,

Teaching methods

- informative lecture - case study, - fieldwork (observation, measurements), - discussion.

Expository teaching methods

- description
- informative (conventional) lecture

Exploratory teaching methods

- practical
- observation
- field measurement
- laboratory

Type of course

elective course

Prerequisites

any

Course coordinators

Przemysław Charzyński

Assessment criteria

Assessment methods:
Lecture
- test - types of questions: (1) multiple choice, 2) true/false, 3) matching, 4) short answer 5) gap filling
- presence (min. 85%)
Field classes
- project report
- activity during classes
- presence (100%)
classes
- reports
- activity during classes
- presence (85%)

Notes and criteria:
2.0 (fail ) – 0%-50%;
3.0 (satisfactory) – 51%-59,9%;
3.5 (satisfactory +) – 60%-69,9%;
4.0 (good) – 70%-79,9%;
4.5 (very good) – 80%-89,9%;
5.0 (excellent) – 90%-100%

Checked learning outcomes:
Test - W1, W2, W3, U1, K1, K2, K3
Project reports – W1, U1, U2, U3, K1, K2, K3, K4

Practical placement

Bibliography

Compulsory:
Świtoniak M., Kabała C., Karklins A., Charzyński P., Hulisz P., Mendyk Ł., Michalski A., Novák T. J., Penížek V., Reintam E., Repe B., Saksa M., Vaisvalavičius R., Waroszewski J., 2018. Guidelines for Soil Description and Classification Central and Eastern European Students’ Version. Polish Society of Soil Science, Toruń: 1–286.
IUSS WORKING GROUP WRB 2015. World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2015. 3rd edition, World Soil Resources Reports 103, FAO, Rome
Świtoniak M.,Charzyński P. (Eds.) 2014. Soil Sequences Atlas. Nicolaus Copernicus University Press, Toruń: 1- 212
Świtoniak M.,Charzyński P. (Eds.) 2018. Soil Sequences Atlas II. Machina Druku, Toruń: 1- 248
Świtoniak M.,Charzyński P. (Eds.) 2018. Soil Sequences Atlas III. Machina Druku, Toruń: 1- 248
Świtoniak M.,Charzyński P. (Eds.) 2018. Soil Sequences Atlas IV. Machina Druku, Toruń: 1- 248
Optional:
Driessen P., Deckers J., Spaargaren O., Nachtergaele F. 2001. FAO lecture notes on the major soils of the world. World Soil Resources Reports 94, Rome, Italy.
Blum W., Schad P., Nortcliff S. 2018. Essentials of Soil Science. Schweizerbart, Borntraeger, Stuttgart, Germany.
• Soil Database. http://soils.umk.pl

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2800-OG-EN-ICES in USOSweb