42205 - Soil Protection and Management Modulübersicht

Module Number: 42205
Module Title:Soil Protection and Management
  Bodenschutz und Management
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Ph. D. Rütting, Louise
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every summer semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:Rationale:
Different land use and management options in agriculture and  agroforestry will be introduced with regard to their impact on relevant soil functions and production purposes in the context of crop production, bioenergy transformation, climate change and biodiversity. Specific emphasis will be put to the development of basic skills for soil and plant analysis as an essential tool for environmental assessments. This will be complemented by comprehensive information on bioenergy production and its impact on soils and sustainable land management.

Part 1: Agroforestry and Agriculture
The student is familiar with basic principles of agriculture and  agroforestry in different cropping and landuse systems.
The student has gained an insight into global distribution and abundance of various farming systems.
The student has knowledge about important crops suitable for food production and non-food products (e.g. biofuels).
The student is able to understand the interactions in agroforestry systems in between crops and trees.
The student understands cropping rotation systems in conjunction with agroforestry.
The student basically knows principles of energy production from biomass.

Part 2: Seminar Agroforestry and Short Rotation Coppice
The seminar exersises are designed to practice basic principles of  agroforestry establishment and management of soil fertility.  
Contents:Part 1: Agroforestry and Agriculture
  • Introduction to nutrient and water cycles in agriculture and agroforestry landuse systems·
  • Introduction to farming systems in agriculture
  • Aspects of soil fertility and its sustainability
  • Classification of agroforestry systems 
  • Tree-crop interactions
  • Short rotation plantation
  • Effects of non-food production on sustainable land use 
Part 2: Seminar Agroforestry and Short Rotation Coppice
  • Excersises related to lecture topics
  • Excursion to the field experimental sites
Recommended Prerequisites:The module 42202 "Soil and Atmosphere" (B 11) is strongly recommended
Mandatory Prerequisites:None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Seminar / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Excursion / 10 Hours
  • Self organised studies / 110 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:
  • Gliessmann, S.R. (2001): Agroecosystem sustainability: Developing Practical Strategies, Series Advances in Agroecology
  • Gordon, A. M., Newman, S.M. (1997): Temperate agroforestry systems. CAB International, Wallingford
  • Leagrid, M. et al. (1999): Agriculture, fertilizers and the Environment. CAB International, Wallingford
  • Nair, P. K. R. (1993): Introduction to agroforestry. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht
  • Young, A. (1997): Agroforestry for soil management. CAB International, Wallingford

Additional literature is provided during the course.

Module Examination:Prerequisite + Final Module Examination (MAP)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:Prerequisite:
  • Three successfully passed exercises during the seminar
Final Module Examination:
  • Written examination, 90 min.
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:None
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Bauingenieurwesen / keine PO
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Environmental and Resource Management / keine PO
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2015 - 3. SÄ 2017
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Euro Hydroinformatics and Water Management / keine PO
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Umweltingenieurwesen / keine PO
  • Master (research-oriented) / Umweltingenieurwesen / PO 2021
 This module has been approved for the general studies.
Remarks:The seminar "Agroforestry and Short Rotation Coppice" is given ones a month as a block. The excursion is a 1-day field trip. 
Module Components:
  • 240226 Lecture Agroforestry and agriculture 
  • 240227 Seminar Agroforestry and Short Rotation Coppice 
  • 240258 Examination Agroforestry and agriculture
Components to be offered in the Current Semester: