Soil Resources
- Sciences
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 56 pages
- 12 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental aspects of soil resources. It covers soil definition, nature, functions, and constituents, including mineral and organic matter. The course also explores physical and chemical properties of soil, factors influencing soil formation, and simple and complex soil formation processes. Additionally, it examines traditional and integrative soil classification systems, soil erosion, and conservation techniques, providing a comprehensive understanding of soil as a vital natural resource.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 39 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Basic knowledge of geography and environmental science
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ESM234, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1: DEFINITION, NATURE AND FUNCTIONS OF SOILPage 3
- UNIT 2: CONSTITUENTS OF SOILPage 6
- UNIT 3: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILPage 11
- UNIT 4: CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILPage 16
- UNIT 5: FACTORS OF SOIL FORMATIONPage 21
- UNIT 6: SIMPLE PROCESSES OF SOIL FORMATIONPage 26
- UNIT 7: complex Processes of Soil FormationPage 31
- UNIT 8: MAJOR SOIL TYPES OF THE WORLDPage 36
- UNIT 9: TRADITIONAL SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMSPage 40
- UNIT 10: INTEGRATIVE SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMSPage 44
- UNIT 11: SOIL EROSIONPage 48
- UNIT 12: SOIL CONSERVATIONPage 53
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ESM234 · UNIT 1: DEFINITION, NATURE AND FUNCTIONS OF SOIL
Now that you have read through the course guide, you would have acquired a general overview of what this unit is all about and how it introduces the subject matter of this course. In this unit, you will learn what soil is in and the functions it performs.
What you should be able to do
- Define soil from multiple perspectives.
- Identify the key constituents of soil and their functions.
- Describe the physical and chemical properties of soil.
- Explain the factors influencing soil formation.
- Classify soils using traditional and integrative systems.
- Apply soil conservation techniques to prevent erosion.
What it prepares you for
- Soil Scientist
- Environmental Consultant
- Agricultural Extension Officer
- Land Resource Manager
- Environmental Impact Assessor
- Agriculture
- Environmental Management
- Land Development
- Civil Engineering
- Mining
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Soil Formation Processes
Unit 6: Simple Processes of Soil Formation
Complex interactions between physical, chemical, and biological processes require strong interdisciplinary understanding.
- Module 4: Soil Types and Classification
Unit 8: Major Soil Types of the World
Understanding the relationships between climate, parent material, and soil characteristics requires spatial reasoning skills.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Soil Resources
Unit 1: Definition, Nature and Functions of Soil · 2 hours
Define soil from different perspectives (agriculturist, chemist, physicist, geologist, geographer).. Explain the role of pedology in soil science.. List and describe the five key functions of soil..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Soil Resources
Unit 2: Constituents of Soil · 2 hours
Identify the four main constituents of soil (mineral matter, organic matter, soil air, soil water).. Compare and contrast invariable and variable constituents of soil.. Explain the functions of each soil component..
- Week 3Module 2: Soil Properties and Formation
Unit 3: Physical Properties of Soil · 2 hours
Describe soil texture and its influence on soil properties.. Identify different types of soil structure (granular, crumbly, platy, columnar, prismatic, blocky).. Explain the Munsell Colour Chart and its use in soil color determination..
- Week 4Module 2: Soil Properties and Formation
Unit 4: Chemical Properties of Soil · 2 hours
Explain the importance of soil pH and its influence on chemical properties.. Describe the roles of nitrogen and phosphorus in soil fertility.. List and describe the key exchangeable cations in soil (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium)..
- Week 5Module 3: Soil Formation Processes
Unit 5: Factors of Soil Formation · 2 hours
Identify the active and passive factors of soil formation (climate, organisms, relief, parent material, time).. Explain the role of climate in soil formation.. Describe how organisms contribute to soil formation..
- Week 6Module 3: Soil Formation Processes
Unit 6: Simple Processes of Soil Formation · 2 hours
Differentiate between simple and complex processes of soil formation.. Explain leaching, eluviation, and illuviation.. Describe the processes of humification and mineralization..
- Week 7Module 4: Soil Types and Classification
Unit 7: Complex Processes of Soil Formation · 2 hours
Identify the complex processes of soil formation (lateritisation, podsolisation, calcification, gleisation).. Describe the climatic regions associated with each complex process.. Explain the basic characteristics of each complex process..
- Week 8Module 4: Soil Types and Classification
Unit 8: Major Soil Types of the World · 2 hours
List the three major soil types based on genetic classification (zonal, intrazonal, azonal).. Describe the characteristics of tundra, podsol, chernozem, and tropical soils.. Explain the causes of intrazonal soil types..
- Week 9Module 5: Soil Erosion and Conservation
Unit 9: Traditional Soil Classification Systems · 2 hours
Define soil classification.. Identify the three types of traditional soil classification systems (empirical, morphological, genetic).. Differentiate between the various types of traditional soil classification systems..
- Week 10Module 5: Soil Erosion and Conservation
Unit 10: Integrative Soil Classification Systems · 2 hours
Explain how integrative systems of soil classification are achieved.. List some integrative systems of soil classification in use today.. Distinguish the characteristics of the USDA and FAO soil classification systems..
- Week 11Module 5: Soil Erosion and Conservation
Unit 11: Soil Erosion · 2 hours
Define soil erosion.. Identify the types of erosion (normal geological erosion, accelerated soil erosion).. Describe the agents and forms of soil erosion (water, wind, ice)..
- Week 12Module 5: Soil Erosion and Conservation
Unit 12: Soil Conservation · 2 hours
Know what soil conservation objectives are.. Recognize the soil conservation practices.. Discuss the various conservation practices (soil management, erosion control, land reclamation)..
- Week 13Module 5: Soil Erosion and Conservation
Final Revision · 4 hours
Review all units and key concepts.. Work on tutor-marked assignments.. Prepare for final examination..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking soil properties to soil formation factors (Units 3-5).
- Practice identifying soil types based on descriptions of their characteristics (Units 7-8).
- Review the different soil classification systems and their criteria (Units 9-10).
- Focus on understanding the causes and effects of soil erosion (Unit 11).
- Study the various soil conservation techniques and their applications (Unit 12).
Questions students ask about this course
What is ESM234 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental aspects of soil resources. It covers soil definition, nature, functions, and constituents, including mineral and organic matter. The course also explores physical and chemical properties of soil, factors influencing soil formation, and simple and complex soil formation processes. Additionally, it examines traditional and integrative soil classification systems, soil erosion, and conservation techniques, providing a comprehensive understanding of soil as a vital natural resource.
How many units does ESM234 have?
ESM234, Soil Resources, has 12 units across 1 module, over 56 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ESM234?
ESM234 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Sciences.
Is ESM234 hard?
ESM234 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does ESM234 take to study?
About 39 hours of study, spread across its 12 units.
How is ESM234 assessed?
ESM234 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What do I need before starting ESM234?
Basic knowledge of geography and environmental science
What can I do with ESM234?
Soil Scientist, Environmental Consultant, Agricultural Extension Officer, Land Resource Manager and Environmental Impact Assessor.