| Course ID: | POS-SE>OCHRGLEB |
| Course title: | SOIL PROTECTION |
| Semester: | 5 / Winter |
| ECTS: | 2 |
| Lectures/Classes: | 15 / 15 hours |
| Field of study: | Environmental Protection |
| Study cycle: | 1st cycle |
| Type of course: | compulsory |
| Prerequisites: | |
| Contact person: | Jezierski Paweł pawel.jezierski@upwr.edu.pl; prof. dr hab. inż. Anna Karczewska anna.karczewska@upwr.edu.pl |
| Short description: | The course focuses on presentation of the main hazards to soils, the mechanisms of soil degradation, assessment of degradation state, and the methods of soil protection, including biological, technical and legal measures. Students work on the projects in which they assess various hazards to soils and the level of soil degradation, with special focus on erosion, hydrological degradation and contamination. |
| Full description: | The main causes and mechanisms of soil degradation. Water and wind erosion. Technical, hydrological and chemical degradation. Assessment of soil degradation level and the resistance to degradation. Assessment of soil contamination. Soil degradation and protection in the main urban and industrial areas in Poland and selected other countries. EC thematic strategy for soil protection. Legal aspects of soil protection. |
| Bibliography: | 1. EU Thematic strategy for soil protection. COM (2006) 231 final, COM (2006) 232 2. Jones A. et al. The state of soil in Europe-a contribution of the JRC to the European Environment Agency’s environment state and outlook report–SOER 2010, 2012.. optional 1. Morgan R.P.C. Soil erosion and conservation. Wiley, 2004 2. Barth H., L'Hermite P. (eds.). Scientific basis for soil protection in the European Community. Springer, 2012 3. Kapur S, Eswaran H., Blum W.E.H. (eds.) Sustainable Land Management. Learning from the Past for the Future, Springer, 2011 4. Glæsner N., Helming K., de Vries W: Do Current European Policies Prevent Soil Threats and Support Soil Functions? Sustainability 2014, 6, 9538-9563 |
| Learning outcomes: | Knowledge Students identify the most important causes and mechanisms of soil degradation. They have knowledge on the scale of these processes in Poland, Europe and in the world. They list the basic principles and methods used to prevent soil degradation, and can assess their efficiency. They know legal regulations for soil protection on international and national scale. Skills Students are able to prepare the assessment of soil water and wind erosion risk. They work out the basic recommendations for the protection against erosion in the areas at risk. They assess the impact of hydrological degradation on soil quality and productivity, on the basis of appropriate documentation and mapping. They are able to determine soil resistance against chemical degradation, to assess the state of soil pollution and to make recommendations on the safe use of contaminated lands. Social competences Students become sensitive to the problems of proper or improper soil management and are aware of the importance of soil protection, both for natural and economic reasons. They are able to use rational arguments in favour of soil protection. Students have experience in working both independently and in a team, taking on various roles. |
| Assessment methods and assessment criteria: | Grade obtained at classes (that involves projects, presentations and written tests): 50% Grade obtained at lectures (two written test; the grade must be positive) |