Universität Wien

300101 VO Soil science for Ecologists (2021W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
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Moodle

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Details

max. 20 participants
Language: German

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 01.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 08.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 15.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 22.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 29.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 05.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 12.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 19.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 26.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 03.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 10.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 17.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 07.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 14.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
  • Friday 21.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

It is the scope of this lecture to get acquainted with the most important basic principle of soil science in terms of plant growth and with the prevailing soil types in the temperate humid climate. After having discussed the geological basics (minerals, rocks, weathering, soil formation) the most important pedogenetic substances, like soil organic matter and clay minerals are described. Main focal points of this lecture are chemical, physical and biological soil properties, like soil nutrient regime and soil moisture regime. A brief review of the most important soil types and of soil formation processes is given and some soil classification systems are explained. Some selected topics, like soil amelioration, complete this lecture.

Assessment and permitted materials

There will be a final written test at the end of the semester.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The final test consists of 10 questions of 10 points each (points maximum = 100). From 51 points, the final test is evaluated positively.
51-63 points: grade 4
64-75 points: grade 3
76-86 points: grade 2
>86 points: grade 1

Examination topics

The subject matter of the examination covers the lecture content:
1 Soil science basics

1.1 Importance of soils, position in ecosystem
1.2 Geological basics
1.2.1 Minerals
1.2.1.1 Crystal structure
1.2.1.2 Mineral classes
1.2.2 Rocks
1.2.2.1 Formation
1.2.2 Types of rocks
1.2.3 Weathering and soil formation
1.2.3.1 Types of weathering
1.2.4 Geological displacements
1.2.4.1 gravity
1.2.4.2 Snow and ice effects
1.2.4.3 Water transport
1.2.4.4 Wind effect
1.2.4.5 Periglacial phenomena
1.2.5 Source material for soil formation
1.3 Important pedogenic substances (soil components)
1.3.1 Grain size ("texture") of mineral soil substance
1.3.1.1 Grain size distribution - soil type
1.3.1.2 Derived soil properties
1.3.2 Weathering new formations
1.3.2.1 Clay minerals and their importance for nutrient storage
1.3.2.2 Pedogenic oxides
1.3.3 Organic matter
1.3.3.1 organ. Soil colloids and properties
1.3.3.2 Humus forms
1.4 Soil properties
1.4.1 Chemical soil properties
1.4.1.1 Colloids and ion exchange, soil nutrients
1.4.1.2 Soil acidity and acidification
1.4.1.3 Redox reactions
1.4.2 Physical soil properties
1.4.2.1 Pore conditions
1.4.2.2 Microstructure and structural forms
1.4.2.3 Water balance
1.4.2.4 Air and heat balance
1.4.3 Biological soil properties ("soil life or edaphon")
1.4.3.1 Structure of the Edaphon
1.4.3.2 Living conditions of the edaphon
1.4.3.3 Influence on the soil

2 Genesis and systematics of soils

2.1 Soil formation
2.1.1 Factors of soil formation
2.1.2 Soil formation processes
2.1.3 Soil profile differentiation, soil horizons
2.2 Soils of Central Europe
2.2.1 Soil classifications
2.2.2 Systematics (overview)
2.2.3 Examples of soil development, soil sequences

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Reading list

Leitgeb, E., Reiter, R., Englisch, M., Lüscher, P., Schad, P., Feger, K. H. (Hrsg.) (2013) Wald-böden. Ein Bildatlas der wichtigsten Bodentypen aus Österreich, Deutschland und der Schweiz. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, ISBN 978-3-527-32713-3.

Scheffer F., Schachtschabel, P. (2010): Lehrbuch der Bodenkunde. 16. Auflage, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg.

Geologische Bundesanstalt. Rocky Austria.(2002). Eine bunte Erdgeschichte von Österreich. Geologische Bundesanstalt.

Association in the course directory

B-WZB, M-WZB

Last modified: Tu 24.01.2023 00:26