Tropical Soils: Understanding and Preserving Earth's Vital Resource

Offered by KULeuvenX

Course Description

Welcome to "Tropical Soils: Understanding and Preserving Earth's Vital Resource," an engaging and comprehensive course that takes you on a virtual journey through the diverse soils of tropical ecosystems. This intermediate-level course delves into the fascinating world of soil science and its crucial role in sustainable development.

As you embark on this educational adventure, you'll explore five major biomes: forests, mountains, grasslands, deserts, and wetlands. Through engaging videos, case studies, and expert instruction from KU Leuven and ISRIC, you'll gain a deep understanding of how soils form, their unique properties, and their impact on biodiversity and human livelihoods.

What You'll Learn

  • Soil formation processes and their relationship to climate and landscape position
  • Recognition and classification of major world soils using the WRB 2016 system
  • Interpretation of soil maps
  • Assessment of soil-related opportunities and challenges for biodiversity and livelihoods
  • Application of sustainable soil management practices
  • Real-world problem-solving through case studies

Prerequisites

  • Basic knowledge of life sciences (chemistry, biology, physics)
  • Basic knowledge in Soil Science is strongly recommended (a short introduction to basic soil concepts is provided in the course)

Course Content

  • Introduction to tropical soils and their importance
  • Soil forming factors and classification systems
  • Major soil types in forests, mountains, grasslands, deserts, and wetlands
  • Soil functions and their role in ecosystem services
  • Soil threats and conservation strategies
  • Sustainable soil management practices
  • Interpretation of soil maps and data
  • Case studies from various tropical regions
  • Application of soil knowledge to real-world challenges

Who This Course Is For

  • Environmental science students
  • Agriculture and forestry professionals
  • Conservationists and ecologists
  • Land use planners and policymakers
  • Anyone interested in sustainable development and tropical ecosystems

Real-World Applications

  • Developing sustainable agricultural practices in tropical regions
  • Designing effective soil conservation strategies
  • Assessing land suitability for different uses
  • Implementing ecosystem restoration projects
  • Advising on policy decisions related to land use and management
  • Conducting environmental impact assessments
  • Contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts

Syllabus

Optional module: Basic soil concepts

Module 1: Soils in the tropics

  • Introduction to the tropics
  • Main soil forming factors
  • Soil functions and threats
  • Soil classification

Module 2: Forests

  • Virtual excursion through the Congo Basin and Borneo
  • Ferralsols, Acrisols, Histosols, and Cambisols
  • Case studies on agroforestry, coffee production, and shifting cultivation

Module 3: Mountains

  • Virtual excursion to Kilimanjaro and the Ethiopian Highlands
  • Cryosols, Andosols, Nitisols, Luvisols, Vertisols, Leptosols, Calcisols, and Regosols
  • Case studies on landslides, rice cultivation, and termites

Module 4: Grasslands

  • Virtual excursion in Cameroon and the Dry Chaco in Argentina
  • Arenosols, Lixisols, Plinthosols, Stagnosols, Planosols, Phaozems, and Solonetz
  • Case studies on sustainable farming, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, and land use in the Mount Elgon region

Module 5: Deserts

  • Virtual excursion through the Sahara and Danakil deserts
  • Gypsisols, Arenosols, and Solonchaks
  • Case studies on Archeomigrations and reforestation

Module 6: Rivers and wetlands

  • Virtual excursion along the Nile and the Pantanal, Brazil
  • Fluvisols, Gleysols, and Vertisols
  • Case studies on acid Fluvisols, the Niger delta, and data density

This course offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into tropical soils and their management, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to contribute to sustainable development in some of the world's most diverse and challenging ecosystems.