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Pedology

* Exchange students do not have to consider this information when selecting suitable courses for an exchange stay.

Course Unit Code546-0308/07
Number of ECTS Credits Allocated5 ECTS credits
Type of Course Unit *Choice-compulsory type B
Level of Course Unit *First Cycle
Year of Study *Third Year
Semester when the Course Unit is deliveredWinter Semester
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
Language of InstructionCzech
Prerequisites and Co-Requisites Course succeeds to compulsory courses of previous semester
Name of Lecturer(s)Personal IDName
KUP73doc. Ing. Jiří Kupka, Ph.D.
Summary
The content of the course will be designed so that the content of all chapters included in it is explained on the basis of specific examples related to the issue of environmental protection in industry and explaining this issue. The study focuses on soil as a part of ecosystems and a component of the environment. Attention is paid to the issue of agricultural, forest and urban soils. As a basis for understanding soil processes, soil properties are studied from various perspectives (physical, chemical, physico-chemical, biochemical and biological). Attention is also paid to the characteristics of soils in the Czech Republic. The soil classification is based on the international classification of soils.
Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit
The course introduces the basics of soil science as part of ecosystems and as environmental components. Teaching follows the geological objects (Mineralogy and Petrography, Geology) and creates a foundation for the study of soil protection. After completing it, the student is fully aware of the complex nature of the soil environment and multidisciplinarity in its study. The student is able to characterize the basic parameters of soil from a physical, chemical, physico-chemical, biochemical and biological point of view. The student understands the connection between natural conditions and soil conditions in the Czech Republic, which can characterize and is fully aware of why it is important to protect the soil.
Course Contents
1. Definition of soil. Soil, its basic features and characteristics. Soil functions.
2. Main degradation processes of soils in the Czech Republic.
3. Weathering processes.
4. Main soil-forming factors. Soil-forming processes.
5. Mineral composition of soils.
6. Humus.
7. Soil organisms.
8. Soil water and soil air.
9. Grain composition of soils.
10. Physical, soil properties.
11. Chemical properties of soils.
12. Sorption properties of soils.
13. Classification of soils. Soil sampling and analysis.
Recommended or Required Reading
Required Reading:
BLANCO, H. and R. LAL. Principles of Soil Conservation and Management. Springer: KOROS Press Limited, 2017. 617 p. ISBN-13 978-1402087080
RANDALL, J. E. Soil Protection and Soil Improvement. Franklin Classics, 2018. 104 p. ISBN-13: 978-0342528257.
WEIL, R. R., and N. C. Brady. The Nature and Properties of Soils. Harlow: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2017. 804 p. ISBN-13: 978-0133254488
WHITE, R. E. Principles and Practice of Soil. Science The Soil As a Natural Resource. Maldon: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. 376 p. ISBN 978-0-632-06455-7
BIČÍK, I. a kol. Půda v České republice. Praha: Consult, 2009, 255 s. ISBN 80-903482-4-6
REJŠEK, K. a R. VÁCHA. Nauka o půdě. Olomouc: Agriprint, 2018, 527 s. ISBN 978-80-87091-82-1
ŠIMEK, M. (eds.) Živá půda. Praha: Academia, 2019, 796 s. ISBN 978-80-200-2976-8
WHITE, R. E. Principles and Practice of Soil. Science The Soil As a Natural Resource. Maldon: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. 376 p. ISBN 978-0-632-06455-7
Recommended Reading:
ASHMAN, M. and G. PURI. Essential Soil Science. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 2002. 208 p. ISBN: 978-0-632-04885-4
BRADY, N. C., WEIL, R.R. The nature and properties of soils. Boston (USA): Pearson, 2016, 1104 p. ISBN-13: 978-0133254488
OTTEN, A. et al. In Situ Soil Remediation. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1997. 116 p. ISBN 978-94-010-6359-3
RETALLACK, G. J. Soils of the Past: An Introduction to Paleopedology. 2019. 552 p. ISBN: 978-1-119-53045-9
KUTÍLEK, M. Půda planety Země. Praha: Dokořán, 2012, 199 s. ISBN 978-80-7363-212-0
NĚMEČEK, J., L. SMOLÍKOVÁ a M. KUTÍLEK. Pedologie a paleopedologie. Praha: Academia, 1990, 558 s. ISBN 80-200-0153-0
TOMÁŠEK, M. Půdy České republiky. Praha: Český geologický ústav, 2000, 68 s. ISBN 80-7075-403-6
BRADY, N. C. a R. R. WEIL, R.R. The nature and properties of soils. Boston: Pearson, 2016, 1104 p. ISBN 978-0133254488
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures, Seminars, Tutorials, Experimental work in labs, Project work, Terrain work
Assesment methods and criteria
Task TitleTask TypeMaximum Number of Points
(Act. for Subtasks)
Minimum Number of Points for Task Passing
Credit and ExaminationCredit and Examination100 (100)51
        CreditCredit33 17
        ExaminationExamination67 34