ECTS
3 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
21h
Objectives
General objectives: Given the importance of soils in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, soil sciences have a key role to play in the assessment and management of natural areas. Indeed, they enable us to understand the fertility, productivity and dynamics of ecosystems, as well as the composition and spatial structure of ecological communities. From a naturalistic point of view, soils are also the habitat of a wide variety of species, including remarkable taxa covered by protection directives and conventions.
Specific objectives :
Understand the biological functioning of a soil and interpret a soil profile based on field observation. Understand the living environment that soils represent for diverse groups of species essential to the functioning of ecosystems.
Teaching takes the form of 3 sequences, including TDs. Each sequence is open to continuing education. The order of sequences may be modified according to the availability of external speakers.
Sequence 1: Biological diversity and the main characteristics of soil What is soil?
Soil biodiversity: fauna and fungi
Principles and techniques for describing a soil profile
3 TD sessions followed by non-classroom work
Sequence 2: Main soil functions
Diversity of biological and ecological soil functions
Soil fauna and humus forms
Multiple interactions in soils
2 TD sessions followed by non-classroom work
Sequence 3: Applied soil ecology
Interaction / facilitation / dynamics / interfaces / human presence
Ecological soil restoration
Soils and agricultural production
2 TD sessions followed by non-classroom work
Skills targeted by the EU :
- Understanding soil biology
- Be able to interpret a profile based on observation in the field
- Understand the operational scope of pedology in the fields of expertise and management.
Necessary prerequisites
- basic knowledge of organism biology
- basic knowledge of ecology
-a taste for the naturalist approach and the field
Knowledge control
|
test |
coefficient |
No. of hours |
Nb Sessions |
Organization (FDS or local) |
|
Written |
|
|
|
|
|
Continuous control |
100 |
|
|
Local |
|
TP |
|
|
|
|
|
Oral |
|
|
|
|
Further information
Manager contact details (tel/mail): 04 67 61 32 62
franck.richard@umontpellier.fr
EDEN license module