NRSM 210NL - Soils, Water, and Climate

Credit(s): 4

In this course, students will explore how climate, water, and soils interact to shape earth’s biosphere. Fundamental concepts in climate, hydrology, and soil science will be investigated to gain a comprehensive view of factors shaping and affecting terrestrial ecosystems. Through a series of lectures and field-based laboratories, students will gain an understanding of how climate and hydrology influence soil development, how they vary across spatial scales, and how these physical, chemical, and biological processes interact to affect soil development, vegetation patterns, and ecosystems. Conservation, ecology, and management of water and soil resources will be emphasized. (Fall Semester)

Course Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to

Understand fundamental concepts in climate, hydrology, and soil science;
Demonstrate knowledge of the hydrologic cycle and the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water;
Sample, analyze, and describe various water properties and understand conservation issues of water resources;
Present an understanding of the issues and underlying science of global climate change and climatic processes;
Analyze and compare a number of different soil types, evaluate the factors that lead to variations in soils across the landscape, and explore the importance of climate, topography, time, parent material and organisms on soil development via both lectures and a hands-on laboratory experience;
Utilize a suite of soil analysis techniques, and practice the science (or art) of observing and describing soil, the geomorphology of soils, and the relationship between plant communities and the soil mosaic on the landscape;
Observe, analyze and classify soils, and to understand how the properties of individual soil types influence multiple aspects of their behavior;
Explain soil physics, soil chemistry and soil ecology through a number of field and lab-based exercises that investigate the dynamics of water and ion movements through soil, the basics of soil classification, some important aspects of soil biology, and the role of soil and soil processes on nutrient cycling, among others;
Understand the role of climate, water, and soils in ecosystem processes and describe the associated conservation and management practices;
Demonstrate learning through a series of exams and practical laboratory reports.