The course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge to understand the soil formation processes through the examination of its composition, organization and characteristics, in order to be able to correctly describe and interpret them.
Attendance and participation in the planned training activities will allow the student to acquire the knowledge necessary to undertake a pedological investigation and classify a soil.
Specifically, the student will be able to:
_know the descriptive techniques of a soil profile
_interpret the main chemical-physical properties of the horizons as a function of the formation processes
_know how to distinguish the main types of soil
_know the main applications of pedology

_ Introduction: fake news, reliability of sources and scientific literature
_ Soil as a complex system: basic concepts of ecology, concept of complex system, concept of interaction and feedback in complex systems
_ The study of soil from antiquity to today: notes on the history of soil sciences
_ Soil as an interface between biosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere
_ Elements of Pedology: definition and purposes of the subject
                                         definitions of soil
                                         the soil phases
                                         pedogenetic processes (from Jenny's equations to Yaalon's schemes)
                                         soil functions and ecosystem services
                                         The soil profile and its differentiation into horizons.
                                         Organic, organo-mineral and mineral horizons: characteristics and nomenclature.

_ Main soil classification systems: general overview
                                                       French nomenclature (outlines)
                                                       FAO-WRB Soil Taxonomy (outline)
                                                      Canadian Soil Taxonomy (outline)
                                                      USDA soil Taxonomy
                                                      European morpho-functional classification of Humus Forms

_The soil profile:  Types, tools and functions
                            Preparation and description of the profile in the field
                            Sample collection, preparation and storage

_ Physico-chemical characterization of soils: main analysis methods in the field and in the laboratory
                                                                        benchmarks and data interpretation

_ Degradation, Consumption and Protection of soils

_ The soil in the Law

Not foreseen

The student must achieve sufficient mastery in the knowledge of the main processes of soil formation, evolution and degradation, sampling, description and interpretation techniques. He/she will also have to demonstrate that he/she is able to independently address issues related to his/her defense within complex interdisciplinary contexts.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons
Field work

Attendance

Not foreseen

Course books

_Certini G. & Ugolini F.C. (2021). Basi di Pedologia - II edizione |  Edagricole, Milano (suggested)
_Eash N.S., Sauer T.J., O’ Dell D., Odoi E. (2016). Soil Science Simplified – 6th Edition | Wiley Blackwell
_Dazzi C. (2016).  Fondamenti di Pedologia – II edizione |Le Penseur, , Brienza

Assessment

The oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to evaluate the achievement of the adequate level of knowledge, the ability to connect different topics and the mastery of the subject in general. The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be assessed.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Attendance

Not foreseen

Course books

_Giordano A. (1999). Pedologia. UTET, Torino. (Suggested)

_McRae S.G. (1991). Pedologia Pratica. Zanichelli, Bologna(Suggested)

_Certini G. & Ugolini F.C. (2021). Basi di Pedologia - II edizione |  Edagricole, Milano 
_Eash N.S., Sauer T.J., O’ Dell D., Odoi E. (2016). Soil Science Simplified – 6th Edition | Wiley Blackwell
_Dazzi C. (2016).  Fondamenti di Pedologia – II edizione |Le Penseur, , Brienza

Assessment

The oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to evaluate the achievement of the adequate level of knowledge, the ability to connect different topics and the mastery of the subject in general. The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be assessed.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Regular attendance at lectures and laboratory exercises is strongly recommended.