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BIO408Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Soil Ecology

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of soil ecology. It explores soil formation, classification, physical and chemical properties, and the soil's role in sustaining life. The course emphasizes nutrient cycling, the importance of soil flora and fauna, and the relationship between plants, soil, and water. Students will learn to analyze soil and plant tissue and understand soil as a functional ecosystem.

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60h

Study Time

13

Weeks

5h

Per Week

basic

Math Level

Course Keywords

Soil EcologySoil FormationNutrient CyclingSoil AnalysisSoil Properties

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

➕

Math Level

Basic Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Soil Formation

2

Soil Taxonomy

3

Soil Chemical Properties

4

Soil Physical Properties

5

Soil Organisms

6

Nutrient Cycling

Total Topics6 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Basic Biology

General Chemistry

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Soil Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Extension Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agronomist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Land Resource Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureEnvironmental ManagementLand ReclamationForestryHorticulture

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1:

4h

Unit 1: Soil Formation

2 study hours

•Read Unit 1: Soil Formation, focusing on factors influencing soil development.
•Identify and describe the five major factors controlling soil formation: parent materials, climate, biota, topography, and time.
•Explain how each factor contributes to the unique characteristics of different soil types.

Unit 2: Soil Taxonomy

2 study hours

•Study Unit 2: Soil Taxonomy, emphasizing the bases of soil classification.
•Understand the observable properties used in soil taxonomy, including moisture, temperature, color, texture, and structure.
•Differentiate between surface and subsurface horizons and their diagnostic features.

Week

2

Module 1:

4h

Unit 3: Categories and Nomenclature of Soil Taxonomy I

2 study hours

•Review Unit 3: Categories and Nomenclature of Soil Taxonomy I, focusing on soil orders.
•Describe the characteristics, distribution, and use of Alfisols, Andisols, Aridisols, Entisols, and Gelisols.
•Understand the nomenclature system used in soil taxonomy and how it conveys information about soil nature and genesis.

Unit 4: Categories and Nomenclature of Soil Taxonomy II

2 study hours

•Study Unit 4: Categories and Nomenclature of Soil Taxonomy II, focusing on Inceptisols, Histosols, Vertisols, Mollisols, Ultisols, Spodosols, and Oxisols.
•Compare and contrast the characteristics, distribution, and use of each soil order.
•Understand how soil properties reflect major courses of development.

Week

3

Module 1:

3h

Unit 5: Categories and Nomenclature of Soil Taxonomy III

3 study hours

•Study Unit 5: Categories and Nomenclature of Soil Taxonomy III, focusing on suborders, great groups, subgroups, families, and series.
•Explain how soils are grouped into lower-level categories based on environmental controls and soil-forming processes.
•Understand the criteria used to identify broad particle size classes, mineralogy, and temperature classes.

Week

4

Module 2:

4h

Unit 1: Chemical Components of Soil

2 study hours

•Read Unit 1: Chemical Components of Soil, focusing on the characteristics of rocks and minerals.
•Explain how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks contribute to soil formation.
•Understand the processes of physical and biogeochemical weathering and their effects on soil chemical components.

Unit 2: Soil Analysis

2 study hours

•Study Unit 2: Soil Analysis, emphasizing soil sampling techniques.
•Understand the importance of composite samples and the factors to consider when sampling soil.
•Explain the process of chemical analysis of soil and the interpretation of soil analysis results.

Week

5

Module 2:

4h

Unit 3: Plant Tissue Analysis

2 study hours

•Study Unit 3: Plant Tissue Analysis, focusing on nutrient concentration.
•Understand the concept of sufficiency range and its relationship to plant growth.
•Explain the precautions to take during tissue sampling and the interpretation of tissue concentration data.

Unit 4: Importance of Soil and Plant Tissue Analysis Content

2 study hours

•Read Unit 4: Importance of Soil and Plant Tissue Analysis Content, focusing on applications of plant analysis.
•Explain how plant analysis is used for problem-solving and monitoring.
•Understand the applications of soil analysis in determining soil acidity, nutrient availability, and fertility status.

Week

6

Module 2:

3h

Unit 5: Plant, Soil and Water Relationship

3 study hours

•Study Unit 5: Plant, Soil and Water Relationship, focusing on soil water content potential.
•Explain the relationship between water potential and the amount of water held in the soil.
•Understand the effects of soil compaction on matrix potential, aeration, and root growth.

Week

7

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1: Physical Properties of the Soil

2 study hours

•Read Unit 1: Physical Properties of the Soil, focusing on soil color.
•Explain how soil color provides clues about soil properties and conditions.
•Understand the Munsell color charts and the three components of color: hue, chroma, and gray.

Unit 2: Chemical Properties of Soil

2 study hours

•Study Unit 2: Chemical Properties of Soil, emphasizing the chemical nature of soils.
•Understand the chemical elements that make up the soil and their importance.
•Explain the mineral matrix of inorganic and organic soils and the role of weathering in forming soil minerals.

Week

8

Module 3:

3h

Unit 3: Detritus Organisms-Microflora and Microfauna

3 study hours

•Study Unit 3: Detritus Organisms-Microflora and Microfauna, focusing on the diversity of soil organisms.
•Understand the roles of macrofauna, mesofauna, and microfauna in the soil ecosystem.
•Explain the factors affecting the growth of soil organisms, including organic matter, oxygen, moisture, temperature, calcium, and pH.

Week

9

Module 3:

4h

Unit 4: Nutrient Resources and Limitations

2 study hours

•Read Unit 4: Nutrient Resources and Limitations, focusing on sources of nutrients.
•Explain how the atmosphere, soil or sediments, and decomposition of organic substances contribute to soil nutrient availability.
•Understand the factors that limit nutrient availability, including temperature, moisture, soil structure, pH, and biological activity.

Unit 5: Cycling of Minerals and Nutrient Pool

2 study hours

•Study Unit 5: Cycling of Minerals and Nutrient Pool, focusing on the characteristics of biogeochemical cycles.
•Understand the roles of plants, animals, and microbes in nutrient cycling.
•Explain the phosphorus, sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen cycles and the flow of nutrients in each cycle.

Week

10

Module 1:

3h

Module 1 Review

3 study hours

•Review Module 1: Soil Formation, Taxonomy, and Nomenclature.
•Focus on understanding the factors influencing soil development and the classification of different soil types.
•Practice identifying soil orders and their characteristics.

Week

11

Module 2:

3h

Module 2 Review

3 study hours

•Review Module 2: Chemical Components, Analysis, and Plant-Soil-Water Relationships.
•Focus on understanding the chemical properties of soil and their impact on plant growth.
•Practice interpreting soil and plant tissue analysis results.

Week

12

Module 3:

3h

Module 3 Review

3 study hours

•Review Module 3: Physical Properties, Detritus Organisms, and Nutrient Cycling.
•Focus on understanding the physical properties of soil and their influence on soil behavior.
•Practice identifying the roles of detritus organisms and the cycling of minerals and nutrients.

Week

13

Course Revision

4h

Final Revision

4 study hours

•Complete all outstanding assignments and review tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).
•Consolidate understanding of key concepts and prepare for the final examination.
•Focus on areas of weakness identified during the course.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed concept maps linking soil formation factors (Unit 1) to resulting soil properties (Units 1-2).

2

Practice classifying different soil types using the soil taxonomy hierarchy (Units 3-5).

3

Review the chemical weathering processes (Module 2 Unit 1) and their impact on nutrient availability.

4

Focus on understanding the roles of key soil organisms (Module 3 Unit 3) in decomposition and nutrient cycling.

5

Practice interpreting soil analysis reports (Module 2 Unit 2) and plant tissue analysis data (Module 2 Unit 3) to diagnose nutrient deficiencies.

6

Review the different biogeochemical cycles (Module 3 Unit 5) and their key processes.

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