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:By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of soil properties, classification systems, and their implications for soil functionality and management.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of soil management strategies and restoration practices, emphasizing sustainable solutions for degraded landscapes.
• Integrate theoretical knowledge with practical research, critically analysing agroforestry systems and restoration projects to assess their ecological, agricultural, and environmental impacts.
• Develop skills in collaborative research, problem-solving, and scientific communication, presenting evidence-based insights gained through excursions, group projects, and field studies.
• Acquire basic skills in soil laboratory operations, including handling soil samples and analysing key soil properties, and deliver well-structured oral presentations on specific course-related topics.
Contents:Part 1 Lecture:
Soil type and classification cross the world.
Physical properties:
• Bulk density,
• Texture
Chemical properties:
• pH
• CEC
• Carbon content
• Nitrogen lifecycle in soil
• Phosphorus lifecycle in soil

Soil Management and human made soil
Soil re-establishment
Overview and introduction on practical research project on Agroforestry (AF), its influences on crop yields, water status and soil
Introduction to the restoration research project, e.g., Hühnerwasser, focusing on changes in vegetation, soil, and GHG in areas reclaimed after major disturbances

Part 2 Seminar:
• Excursion (EUR 8)
• Laboratory
• Presentation
Recommended Prerequisites:The module 11645 “Basic soil science” 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:
  • Brady. N. C and Weil. R (2017): The Nature and Properties of Soils
  • FAO (2006): Guidelines for soil description
  • IUSS Working Group (2022): World Reference Base for Soil Resources
  • Blume, H.-P., Stahr, K., and Leinweber, P. (2010): Laboruntersuchungen, in Bodenkundliches Praktikum: Eine Einführung in pedologisches Arbeiten für Ökologen,
    insbesondere Land - und Forstwirte, und für Geowissenschaftler.
  • FAO (2021): Recarbonizing global Soils
  • Blanco-Canqui. H, and Lal. R (2008): Principles of Soil Conservation and Management.

  • Additional literature is provided during the course.
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:• 5 Assignments (40%, incl 10% assignments from excursion)
• Laboratory report, 4-5 pages (30%)
• Presentation, ca.15-20 min (30%)
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:20
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 / Umweltingenieurwesen / keine PO
  • Master (research-oriented) / Umweltingenieurwesen / PO 2021
 This module has been approved for the general studies.
Remarks:Mandatory lab + excursion
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:
  • no assignment