280232 VO PS4 Terrestrial Systems (NPI) (2014S)

Students can describe and discuss (1) the multiple functional
dependencies in terrestrial systems (2) the genesis and properties of common soil types (3) fundamentals in geoecology, geomorphology and quarternary science. They are able to describe and interpret the complex interdependencies of soil formation, chemical and physical soil properties, nutrient cycles, ecosystem state factors, and terrestrial biota and
food webs. Graduates are able to summarize the organic and inorganic composition of soils and can describe important chemical processes that influence the behavior of nutrients and pollutants. They recognize the function of soils in global element cycles and are able to critically analyze important environmental problems, such as soil contamination and erosion.