ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Description
The pedagogical objective of this course is to reposition the main types of soil on a global scale, to explain their formation and to identify the mineral phases or the main abiotic factors likely to regulate the biological activity of soils. Based on this analysis, the different soil organisms (micro-organisms, micro-, meso- and macro-fauna) will be presented as well as their relationships in order to reposition the cycle of organic matter and mineral elements in the soil at different temporal and spatial scales. The notions of recycling, looping of biogeochemical cycles and community assembly rules will also be addressed. The organization of this course is based on lectures and conferences as well as fieldwork.
Objectives
"Knowledge: explain the distribution of the main types of soil on the planet, know the main physical and chemical characteristics, and how these characteristics modulate biogeochemical cycles and biological activities; know the diversity of soil organisms and their functions
Skills: from published experimental results, analyze the roles of soil organisms in biogeochemical cycles; Evaluate in the field the main manifestations and conditions of biological functioning of a soil."
Necessary pre-requisites
Basic knowledge of general ecology and biogeochemical cycles
Experience in bibliographic research
Ability to analyze scientific publications in English.
Knowledge control
Continuous assessment : 100%.