Applied soil sciences

Teacher(s)

Agnan Yannick; Delmelle Pierre (coordinator);

Language

French
> English-friendly

Prerequisites

- Introduction aux sciences de la Terre [LBIR1130]
- Introduction à l'ingénierie de la biosphère [LBIR1230]
- Sciences du sol et excursions intégrées [LBIR1336]

Main themes

- Soils as bio-physico-chemical reactors at the interface between the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
- Pedological processes governing soil formation and functioning
- Physico-chemical reactions which underpin the response of soils to natural and anthropogenic perturbations

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	a. Contribution of the activity to the framework AA M1.1, M1.2, M1.3, M1.4, M1.5 M2.1, M2.2, M2.3, M2.4 M3.4 M6.2, M6.5 b. Expected learning outcomes At the end of the activity, the student is able to: - Describe the pedological processes governing soil formation and functioning - Explain the physico-chemical reactions which underpin the response of soils to natural and anthropogenic perturbations - Determine the factors and processes responsible for the variability of soil properties - Assess the response of soil to natural and anthropogenic perturbations

Content

The course provides an in-depth exploration of the processes involved in soil formation, functioning, and evolution, with particular emphasis on soil organic matter and its role in soil biogeochemical processes.

Teaching methods

The course combines:

• theoretical teaching based on the analysis of scientific articles;
• practical sessions.

The reading of scientific articles aims to explore selected course topics in greater depth and to develop students' ability to understand, analyze, and critically discuss the scientific literature. Generative artificial intelligence tools may be used to support the reading and analysis of articles, with particular attention paid to their responsible use and to the critical evaluation of the responses they generate.
The practical sessions include the interpretation of soil analysis reports from soils with contrasting properties, as well as computer-based sessions.

Evaluation methods

• Written exam (70 %)
• Applied problem test (30 %)

Other information

This course can be given in English.

Online resources

Lecture notes and other teaching resources available on Moodle

Bibliography

Blume H.-P., Brümmer G.W., Fleige H., Horn R., Kandeler E., Kögel-Knabner I., Kretzschmar R., Stahr K., Wilke B.-M. (2016). Scheffer/Schachtschabel soil science. Springer, Berlin. 618 p.
Weil R.R., Brady N.C. (2017). The nature and properties of soils. Pearson, Harlow. 1104 p.
Calvet R. (2013). Le sol. France Agricole, Paris. 678 p.
Calvet R., Chenu C., Houot S. (2015). Les matières organiques des sols. France Agricole, Paris. 304 p.

Faculty or entity

> AGRO