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Semester 2
Soil, Water and Atmospheric Processes (ECSC08003)
Subject
Ecological Science
College
SCE
Credits
20
Normal Year Taken
2
Delivery Session Year
2023/2024
Pre-requisites
Course Summary
This is a 20-credit course that provides the background in soil science, environmental physics and hydrology required to tackle critical issues such as land degradation, climate and land use change and microclimate modification.
Course Description
The complex nature of the world's ecosystems arises from the inter-relationships between the physical environment, ecology and human intervention. The course structure reflects this interaction between soil, water and atmospheric processes within environmental systems. We begin with the inputs to the system of energy (radiation) and water (precipitation). Next the internal dynamics of the environmental system are examined (including topics of soil composition and properties, soil moisture and groundwater). Finally we cover the system outputs - water in gaseous and liquid form (as evaporation to the atmosphere and river runoff).The majority of the course focuses on developing a sound understanding of the physical and chemical processes that occur in the soil, atmosphere and freshwaters at the sub-regional scale. Case study lectures are interspersed amongst process-based lectures to demonstrate why an understanding of soil, water and atmospheric processes is required for effective environmental management. Through the course lectures, practicals and tutorials we will also begin to quantify soil, water and atmosphericprocesses as a basis for estimating environmental resources (such as water availability or nutrients for plant growth) and predicting the effects of environmental change. By the end of the course you will have an improved understanding of the world around you and will be better equipped to analyse environmental systems in a scientific manner.The course is relevant to all those with an interest in how environmental systems function: from whole organism biologists and ecologists to geologists and environmental chemists.
Assessment Information
Written Exam 70%, Coursework 30%, Practical Exam 0%
Additional Assessment Information
To be completed
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