Soil ecology and biogeochemical cycles

The educational objective of this teaching unit is to reposition the major soil types on a global scale, explain their formation, and identify the mineral phases or main abiotic factors likely to regulate biological activity in soils. Based on this analysis, the various soil organisms (microorganisms, micro-, meso- and macrofauna) will be presented, along with their relationships, in order to reposition the cycle of organic matter and mineral elements in the soil at different temporal and spatial scales. The concepts of recycling, biogeochemical cycles and community assembly rules will also be addressed. This course unit is organized around lectures and conferences, as well as tutorials and fieldwork.

Knowledge: explain the distribution of major soil types on the planet, understand their main physical and chemical characteristics, and how these characteristics modulate biogeochemical cycles and biological activities; understand the diversity of soil organisms and their functions.

Skills: based on published experimental results, analyze the roles of soil organisms in biogeochemical cycles; evaluate in the field the main manifestations and conditions of the biological functioning of soil.

Basic knowledge of general ecology and biogeochemical cycles

Bibliographic research experience

Ability to analyze scientific publications in English.

Continuous assessment: 100%