Anthropogenic Impact On Land
- Agricultural Sciences
- 500 level
- 2 credit units
- 124 pages
- 25 units
This course introduces undergraduate Agriculture students to the anthropogenic impact on land. It covers farming systems, land use, soil erosion, and conservation strategies. Students will learn about soil resources, land use relationships, and the effects of fertilizers and pesticides. The course also explores environmental impact assessments and sustainable soil management practices to minimize soil erosion and ensure soil productivity.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 312 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Basic knowledge of agricultural science
- Understanding of ecological principles
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of SLM504, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
SLM504 · UNIT 2: COMPOSITION OF SOILS
4.0 CONCLUSION Though different users of soils have their different definitions, soil could be defined as the collection of natural bodies occupying parts of the Earth’s surface that is capable of supporting plant growth and serve as foundation for buildings. Some of the benefits derived from soil include food, medicines, fibres, minerals and construction material.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the concept of a farming system and list its components.
- Define soil erosion and outline its causative agents.
- Explain soil conservation and control measures.
- Explain the effects of fertilizers and pesticides on the soil-water ecosystem.
- Describe the environmental impact assessment process.
- Apply soil management strategies to prevent or minimize soil erosion.
What it prepares you for
- Agricultural Extension Officer
- Environmental Consultant
- Soil Scientist
- Land Use Planner
- Environmental Impact Assessor
- Agriculture
- Environmental Management
- Land Resource Management
- Soil Conservation
- Environmental Consulting
- Soil testing equipment
- GIS software
- Remote sensing data
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Interaction Technology on Soil Environment
Unit 2: Forms of Organic and Inorganic Materials Interaction
Understanding the complex interactions between organic and inorganic materials requires a strong foundation in chemistry and soil science.
- Module 5: Effect of Pesticides and Herbicides on the Soil-Water Ecosystem
Unit 3: Effect of Pesticides on Organisms
Assessing the long-term ecological effects of pesticides requires knowledge of toxicology, environmental science, and ecological modeling.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 42 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Current Types of Soil Resources Concepts
Unit 1: Users' Concept of Definition of Soil as a Resource · 2 hours
Define soil from different land users' perspectives.. Identify human uses of soil.. Discuss the importance of soil as a resource..
Unit 2: Composition of Soils · 2 hours
Describe the components of soil.. Explain the role of organic matter in soil.. Discuss the importance of soil water and air..
- Week 2Module 1: Current Types of Soil Resources Concepts
Unit 3: Soil Properties · 2 hours
Explain the physical properties of soil, including color and texture.. Describe the chemical properties of soil, such as pH and CEC.. Discuss the role of organic matter and living organisms in soil..
- Week 3Module 1: Current Types of Soil Resources Concepts
Unit 4: Soil Classification Systems · 2 hours
State reasons for classifying soils.. Explain scientific and technical classifications.. Discuss the USDA Soil Taxonomy Classification System..
- Week 4Module 1: Current Types of Soil Resources Concepts
Unit 5: Earth Natural Resources · 2 hours
Identify different natural resources.. Classify earth resources based on source and renewal.. Discuss the importance of renewable and nonrenewable resources..
- Week 5Module 2: Land Use as Related To Soils
Unit 1: Meaning of Soil and Land · 2 hours
Differentiate between soil and land.. Explain the factors influencing agricultural production.. Discuss the importance of land as a resource..
Unit 2: Uses of Land · 2 hours
List agricultural benefits derived from land.. List non-agricultural benefits derived from land.. Discuss the various uses of land..
- Week 6Module 2: Land Use as Related To Soils
Unit 3: Land Use and Land Cover Change · 2 hours
Explain changes occurring on land surface due to land use changes.. State factors influencing land use and land cover change.. Discuss the effects of land use on land cover change..
- Week 7Module 3: Interaction Technology on Soil Environment
Unit 1: Concept of Interactive Technology · 2 hours
Explain the concept of interaction in the soil environment.. Enumerate sources of organic and inorganic substances interacting in the soil environment.. Discuss the importance of interactive technology..
Unit 2: Forms of Organic and Inorganic Materials Interaction · 2 hours
Explain metal and metal interaction in the soil environment.. Explain organic substances interaction in the soil environment.. Discuss metal-organic substances interaction in the soil environment..
- Week 8Module 3: Interaction Technology on Soil Environment
Unit 3: Interaction of Microorganisms · 2 hours
Explain the nature of microorganisms communities.. Mention methods used in studying microorganisms communities.. Discuss interaction between community of microbes and plant rhizosphere..
- Week 9Module 4: Effect of Fertilisers on the Soil-Water Ecosystem
Unit 1: Component and Importance of Mineral Fertilisers · 2 hours
Define fertilizer.. Identify types of fertilizers based on their components.. State benefits of fertilizer application..
Unit 2: Effect of Fertiliser on Soil Properties and Soil Organisms · 2 hours
Explain the effect of fertilizer on physical properties of soil.. State the effect of fertilizer on chemical properties of soil.. Explain the effect of fertilizer on biological components of soil..
- Week 10Module 4: Effect of Fertilisers on the Soil-Water Ecosystem
Unit 3: Effect of Fertiliser on Water and Atmospheric Environment · 2 hours
Explain the effect of fertilizer on the water environment.. Explain the effect of fertilizer on the atmospheric environment.. Discuss the environmental impacts of fertilizer use..
Unit 4: Long and Short Term Effect of Fertilisers · 2 hours
Explain the short-term effects of fertilizers.. State the long-term effects of fertilizers.. Discuss the sustainable use of fertilizers..
- Week 11Module 5: Effect of Pesticides and Herbicides on the Soil-Water Ecosystem
Unit 1: Fate of Pesticides · 2 hours
Define pesticides.. Explain the entry and fate of pesticides in soils.. Discuss the environmental impacts of pesticide use..
Unit 2: Effects of Pesticides on Soils and Water Ecosystems · 2 hours
Explain the effect of pesticides on soil properties.. Explain the effect of pesticides on water.. Discuss the environmental impacts of pesticide use..
- Week 12Module 5: Effect of Pesticides and Herbicides on the Soil-Water Ecosystem
Unit 3: Effect of Pesticides on Organisms · 2 hours
Explain the effect of pesticides on soil microorganisms.. Explain how pesticide application affects soil invertebrates.. Discuss the impacts of pesticides on birds, bees, fish and aquatic organisms..
Unit 4: Effect of Herbicides on Soil · 2 hours
State how herbicides enter soils.. Explain the effect of herbicides on physical and chemical properties of soils.. Explain how herbicides affect soil living organisms..
- Week 13Module 6: Effects of Acid Rain (Short and Long-Term) on the Soil-Water Ecosystem
Unit 1: Acid Rain · 2 hours
State sources of acid in rain.. Explain how acid rain is formed.. List effects of acid rain on the environment..
Unit 2: Other Water Sources · 2 hours
State how and where surface and groundwater can be obtained.. Explain how salt builds up in soil and water.. Explain the effect of both acidic and saline water on the environment.. State measures that can be taken to remedy salt-affected soils..
Preparing for the exam
- Review definitions of soil from various users (Unit 1, Module 1).
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 soil properties and classification.
- Practice identifying soil types based on descriptions (Unit 4, Module 1).
- Summarize the key factors influencing land use change (Unit 3, Module 2).
- Outline the steps in the Environmental Impact Assessment process (Module 8).
- Focus on understanding the short-term and long-term effects of fertilizers and pesticides.
- Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their feedback.
- Allocate study time proportionally based on the number of units per module.
- Create flashcards for key terms and definitions from each unit.
- Practice answering essay questions from past exam papers.
Questions students ask about this course
What is SLM504 about?
This course introduces undergraduate Agriculture students to the anthropogenic impact on land. It covers farming systems, land use, soil erosion, and conservation strategies. Students will learn about soil resources, land use relationships, and the effects of fertilizers and pesticides. The course also explores environmental impact assessments and sustainable soil management practices to minimize soil erosion and ensure soil productivity.
How many units does SLM504 have?
SLM504, Anthropogenic Impact On Land, has 25 units across 8 modules, over 124 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is SLM504?
SLM504 carries 2 credit units, at 500 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is SLM504 hard?
SLM504 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does SLM504 take to study?
About 312 hours of study, spread across its 25 units.
How is SLM504 assessed?
SLM504 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What do I need before starting SLM504?
Basic knowledge of agricultural science Understanding of ecological principles
What can I do with SLM504?
Agricultural Extension Officer, Environmental Consultant, Soil Scientist, Land Use Planner and Environmental Impact Assessor.