World Soils and their Assessment Course 2018
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Overview
This is a course on the soils of the world and their assessment. It will provide an introduction to the soils of the world and their diversity, their main forming factors, classification (according to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014, update 2015), and management. The course will include lectures and hands-on exercises. It will make use of the facilities of the World Soil Museum.
The programme includes a field excursion in the area around Wageningen, which has a rich diversity of landscapes and soils. In the field, several topics will be addressed including: soil and landscape relations, soil formation, soil classification, field description of soils, and soil management. Furthermore, the programme includes lectures and hands-on exercises on soil functions and regional planning as well as soil management strategies for soil conservation and optimization of soil functions.
Participants will be introduced to and trained in the international classification system the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (2014, update 2015).
Guest lecturers: Seppe Deckers and Rachel Creamer.
Who is it for?
This course aims at scientists, professionals, e.g. in natural resources management planning, and students who have an interest in (the classification of) soils of the world and their assessment for their work or study, with aspects of soil formation, description, classification and evaluation.
A general background in soil science or physical geography is assumed (basic principles). On request, a short introduction module on concepts and terminology in soil science may be followed on Friday afternoon, 25th May, provided sufficient expressions of interest been received for this.
Programme
*Working programme subject to changes.
DAY 1 (Monday, 28 May): Soils of the World and their classification
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Block |
Topic |
Type / Room |
Lecturer |
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8.30 - 9.00 |
Registration and Coffee |
Hall Gaia building |
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9.00 - 9.45 |
Opening of the ISRIC Spring School 2018 Group photo |
Gaia 1 |
B. Kempen, H. van den Bosch (ISRIC director) |
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9.45 - 10.30 |
Introduction round participants in elevator pitches |
Interactive Gaia 1 |
Participants |
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10.30 - 11.00 |
Coffee break |
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11.00 - 12.30 |
Introduction to WRB concepts and terminology |
Lecture Gaia 1 |
S. Mantel, TBA |
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12.30 - 13.30 |
Lunch |
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13.30 - 15.00 |
Soils of the World |
Lecture Gaia 1 |
prof. dr. ir S. Deckers (KU Leuven) |
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15.00 - 15.30 |
Coffee break |
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15.30 - 17.30 |
Soils of the World |
Lecture Gaia 1 |
prof. dr. ir S. Deckers (KU Leuven) |
DAY 2 (Tuesday, 29 May): Applying the World Reference Base for Soil Resources
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Block |
Topic |
Type / Room |
Lecturer |
|
9.00 - 10.30 |
Introduction to global soils in the World Soil Museum. Discuss the broad distribution of soils in the world |
Interactive lecture, WSM |
S. Mantel |
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10.30 - 11.00 |
Coffee break |
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11.00 - 12.30 |
Field description of soils |
Lecture , WSM |
J. Leenaars |
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12.30 - 13.30 |
Lunch |
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13.30 - 15.00 |
Applying the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) |
Exercise, WSM |
S. Mantel, N. Batjes, J. Leenaars, K. Dijkshoorn |
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15.00 - 15.30 |
Coffee break |
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15.30 - 17.30 |
Applying the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) |
Exercise, WSM |
S. Mantel, N. Batjes, J. Leenaars, K. Dijkshoorn |
|
19:00 - 22:00 |
Dinner in town (Colours World Food restaurant) |
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DAY 3 (Wednesday, 30 May): Field visit landscape and soils in the vicinity of Wageningen
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Block |
Topic |
Type / Room |
Lecturer |
|
8.30 - 18.00 |
Field excursion (lunch in the field). Practice in soil geography, soil description and soil classification at various sites in the vicinity of Wageningen |
Exercise |
S. Mantel, N. Batjes, J. Leenaars, K. Dijkshoorn |
DAY 4 (Thursday, 31 May): Soil functions and sustainable soil management
|
Block |
Topic |
Type / Room |
Lecturer |
|
9.00 - 10.30 |
Soil functions and regional planning |
Lecture Orion, C4016 |
Prof R. Creamer, (S. Mantel) |
|
10.30 - 11.00 |
Coffee break |
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11.00 - 12.30 |
Soil functions and regional planning, exercise/planning game |
Orion, C4016 |
Prof R. Creamer, (S. Mantel) |
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12.30 - 13.30 |
Lunch |
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13.30 - 15.00 |
Strategies for soil conservation and optimization of soil functions |
Lecture Orion, C4016 |
G.van Lynden, B. Zhanguo |
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15.00 - 15.30 |
Coffee break |
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15.30 - 17.30 |
Selection of strategies for soil conservation / optimization of soil functions, exercise |
Practical Orion, C4044 |
G. van Lynden, B. Zhanguo |
DAY 5 (Friday, 1 June): World soil databases
|
Block |
Topic |
Type / room |
Lecturer |
|
9.00 - 10.00 |
World Soil Information Service |
Demonstration, Gaia 2 |
E. Ribeiro |
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10.00 - 10.30 |
Applying the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) |
Exercise, WSM |
S. Mantel, N. Batjes, J. Leenaars |
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10.30 - 11.00 |
Coffee break |
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11.00 - 12.30 |
Applying the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) |
Exercise, WSM |
S. Mantel, N. Batjes, J. Leenaars |
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12.30 - 13.30 |
Lunch |
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13.30 - 14.30 |
Course evaluation, certificates |
PC0096 (Gaia) |
All |
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14.30 - 15.30 |
Measuring the value of the soil resource |
Guest lecture, Lumen 1&2 |
D. Rossiter |
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15.30 - 17.00 |
Closing words + ISRIC borrel (drinks and snacks) |
Lumen 1&2 |
Rik van den Bosch |