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Lecturer(s)
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Hédl Radim, Mgr. MgA. Ph.D.
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Duchoslav Martin, RNDr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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The content of the course is concerned mainly with soil, climate and human factors. The subject is followed in the same semester with Field Practice in Ecological Botany. The students will be familiarized with the most important theoretical concepts of the soil science, which they will apply during a field practice. A solid theoretical and practical background will be provided to help the students to understand the approaches of the soil science. The emphasis will be put on the linkages with botany and plant ecology. Soil will be introduced as one of the main factors underlying the occurrence and dynamics of plants and vegetation. Following the course, the students should be able to probe the soil, sample and process the soil samples, and know the main methods of soil analysis. They should be able to to describe the soil profile and classify it to the soil type, and understand the content of pedological maps. The students will be familiarized with the properties and distribution of soils in the Czech Republic and worldwide. They will understand the meaning of soil data and basic pedological literature. Syllabus: 1. What is soil, its constitution, abiotic and biotic components, the means of its description and analysis. 2. Approaches to the pedological description of soils: physical and chemical parameters and their field and laboratory determination. 3. Pedogenesis, soil types and major classification systems and properties field diagnostics; distribution of soil types in the Czech Republic and in the World. 4. Soil field description and analysis. Description of a soil profile. Probing, sampling, processing and lab analysis of a soil sample. 5. Soil and plants: soil properties important for distribution and dynamics of plant species and communities.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Laboratory Work, Work Activities
- Preparation for the Course Credit
- 3 hours per semester
- Attendace
- 14 hours per semester
- Excursion
- 8 hours per semester
- Preparation for the Exam
- 15 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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Aim of the course Ecological Botany is to provide the students with theoretical background important for work with ecological factors that determine the occurrence, distribution and dynamics of plant species, their populations and communities. The acquired knowledge base is important for understanding the nature of basic environmental variables that a plant ecologist needs in his or her work.
Understanding and interpreting terms related to the physical environment. Understanding of soil constitution and genesis, correct description of soil profile and sampling. Basic methods of soil samples analysis.
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Prerequisites
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Good orientation in natural sciences at a secondary school level. Interest in exploring factors that determine the distribution of plant species and their communities. Basic knowledge of work with computer programs.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Oral exam, Written exam
Test and oral exam, credit after a successful accomplishment of a field practice.
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Recommended literature
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Bardgett, R. D. (2005). The biology of soil: a community and ecosystem approach. New York, N.Y: Oxford University Press.
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Brady, N. C., & Weil, R. R. (2014). The nature and properties of soils. Harlow: Pearson.
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Catt, J. A. (1990). Paleopedology manual Quatern. Int., 6, 1?95.
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ISSS-ISRIC-FAO. (1998). World reference basis for soil resources. World Soil Resources Reports 84. FAO, Rome..
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Růžičková, E., Růžička, M., Zeman, A., & Kadlec, J. (2003). Kvartérní klastické sedimenty České republiky: struktury a textury hlavních genetických typů. Praha: Česká geologická služba.
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Smolíková, L., Němeček, J., Kutílek, M., Ložek, V., & Hraško, J. (1990). Pedologie a paleopedologie. Praha: Academia.
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United States Department of Agriculture. (1999). Soil Taxonomy: A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys. Washington, DC.
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