SOIL EROSION AND CONSERVATION
- Agricultural Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 99 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces students to the principles of soil erosion and conservation. It covers topics such as farming systems, land use, and the various processes of soil erosion. Students will learn about the economic importance of soil erosion, different types of erosion, and soil productivity modeling. The course also explores agronomic and mechanical strategies for soil conservation, as well as extension approaches for promoting sustainable land management practices.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 45 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of SLM306, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
SLM306 · UNIT 1: FARM AND FARMING SYSTEMS
A farming system is defined as a population of individual farm systems that have broadly similar resource bases, enterprise patterns, household activities and constraints, and for which similar development strategies and interventions would be appropriate. Depending on the scale of the analysis, a farming system can encompass a few dozen or many millions of households.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the concept of a farming system and its components
- Define soil erosion and outline its causative agents
- Describe the processes of soil erosion
- Identify different types of soil erosion
- Explain soil conservation and control measures
What it prepares you for
- Agricultural Extension Officer
- Soil Conservation Technician
- Farm Manager
- Environmental Consultant
- Agriculture
- Environmental Management
- Land Development
- Government Agencies
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Soil Erosion and Control
Unit 2: Processes of Soil Erosion
Understanding the complex interactions of detachment, transport, and deposition requires a strong grasp of fluid dynamics and soil physics.
- Module 2: Soil Erosion and Control
Unit 5: Soil productivity relation and modelling
The Universal Soil Loss Equation involves multiple factors and requires understanding of statistical relationships and empirical data.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Farming Systems and Land Use
Unit 1: Farm and Farming Systems · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the concept of farming systems and their components.. Identify different types of farming systems.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 2Module 1: Farming Systems and Land Use
Unit 2: Classification of Farming Systems · 2 hours
Study the classification of farming systems.. Differentiate between collection and cultivation farming systems.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 3Module 1: Farming Systems and Land Use
Unit 3: Husbandry · 2 hours
Understand the concept of land husbandry.. Identify the characteristics and principles of land husbandry.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 4Module 1: Farming Systems and Land Use
Unit 4: Land Use in the Tropics · 2 hours
Define land use in the tropics.. List and explain the functions of land use.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 5Module 1: Farming Systems and Land Use
Unit 5: Matching Land Uses to Land Types · 2 hours
Explain land capability classification.. Provide examples of land use matching land type.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 6Module 2: Soil Erosion and Control
Unit 1: Soil Erosion · 2 hours
Define soil erosion and its causative agents.. Explain the drivers of soil erosion.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 7Module 2: Soil Erosion and Control
Unit 2: Processes of Soil Erosion · 2 hours
Explain the three processes of soil erosion: detachment, transport, and deposition.. Outline the factors of water erosion.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 8Module 2: Soil Erosion and Control
Unit 3: Economic importance of Soil Erosion · 2 hours
Understand the on-site and off-site problems of soil erosion.. Examine the impact of gully erosion.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 9Module 2: Soil Erosion and Control
Unit 4: Types of Soil Erosion · 2 hours
List and discuss different types of soil erosion.. Explain inter-rill, rain-splash, sheet, rill, and gully erosion.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 10Module 2: Soil Erosion and Control
Unit 5: Soil productivity relation and modelling · 2 hours
Outline the relationship between soil erosion and agricultural productivity.. Explain erosion modeling and the Universal Soil Loss Equation.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 11Module 3: Soil Conservation and Management
Unit 1: Meaning of soil conservation · 2 hours
Explain the meaning of soil conservation.. Outline control measures for soil conservation.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 12Module 3: Soil Conservation and Management
Unit 2: Agronomic Soil Conservation Measures · 2 hours
Explain agronomic soil conservation measures such as mulching and cover cropping.. Understand improved fallowing and multiple cropping.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
- Week 13Module 3: Soil Conservation and Management
Unit 3: Soil Management Strategies for Soil Conservation · 2 hours
Explain soil management strategies for soil conservation, including minimum tillage and no-tillage.. Understand ridge tillage and ridge tying.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
Unit 4: Mechanical Strategies for Soil Conservation · 2 hours
Describe mechanical strategies for soil conservation, including terraces and waterways.. Understand the challenges of soil conservation.. Complete self-assessment exercises..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all the key definitions and concepts from each unit.
- Practice applying the Universal Soil Loss Equation to different scenarios.
- Create diagrams illustrating the different types of soil erosion.
- Focus on understanding the relationships between soil properties and erosion rates.
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their feedback.
- Allocate sufficient time to cover all modules, focusing on areas of weakness.
Questions students ask about this course
What is SLM306 about?
This course introduces students to the principles of soil erosion and conservation. It covers topics such as farming systems, land use, and the various processes of soil erosion. Students will learn about the economic importance of soil erosion, different types of erosion, and soil productivity modeling. The course also explores agronomic and mechanical strategies for soil conservation, as well as extension approaches for promoting sustainable land management practices.
How many units does SLM306 have?
SLM306, SOIL EROSION AND CONSERVATION, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 99 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is SLM306?
SLM306 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is SLM306 hard?
SLM306 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does SLM306 take to study?
About 45 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is SLM306 assessed?
SLM306 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with SLM306?
Agricultural Extension Officer, Soil Conservation Technician, Farm Manager and Environmental Consultant.