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As above, so below: An introduction to soils, ecosystems and livelihoods in the Tropics
Course
en
English
28 h
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- Self-paced
- Free Access
- Fee-based Certificate
- 7 Sequences
- Intermediate Level
Course details
Syllabus
Optional module : Basic soil concepts
This module is aimed to introduce/refresh the basic soil concepts needed to understand the rest of the course. This module is not obligatory to complete the course.
Module 1 :Soils in the tropics
Introduction on the tropics, main soil forming factors, soil functions, soil threats, and soil classification.
Module 2 : Forests
Introduction of the forest zone by a virtual excursion through the Congo Basin and Borneo. Formation, traits, and management of Ferralsols, Acrisol, Histosols, and Cambisols. Cases on agroforestry, coffee production and shifting cultivation.
Module 3 : Mountains
Introduction of the mountain zone through a virtual excursion at the Kilimanjaro and the Ethiopian Highlands. Formation, traits, and management of Cryosols, Andosols, Nitisols, Luvisols, Vertisols, Leptosols, Calcisols, and Regosols. Cases on landslides, rice cultivation and termites.
Module 4 : Grasslands
Introduction of the grassland zone through a virtual excursion in Cameroon and the Dry Chaco in Argentina. Formation, traits, and management of Arenosols, Lixisols, Plinthosols, Stagnosols and Planosols, Phaozems and Solonetz. Cases on sustainable farming on Plinthosols, Integrated Soil Fertility Management and land use in the Mount Elgon region.
Module 5 : Deserts
Introduction of the desert zone through a virtual excursion through the Sahara and Danakil deserts. Formation, traits, and management of Gypsisols, Arenosols, and Solonchaks. Cases on Archeomigrations and reforestation.
Module 6 : Rivers and wetlands
Introduction on wetlands through a virtual excursion along the Nile and the Pantanal, Brasil. Formation, traits, and management of Fluvisols, Gleysols, and Vertisols. Cases on acid Fluvisols, the Niger deltaand data density.
Prerequisite
Basic knowledge of life sciences (chemistry, biology, physics) is needed. Basic knowledge in Soil Science is strongly recommended, a short introduction to basic soil concepts is offered in the course.
Instructors
Karen Vancampenhout
Professor of Soil Science, KU Leuven
KU Leuven
Seppe Deckers
Emeritus professor of Soil Science, KU Leuven
KU Leuven
Stephan Mantel
Head of World Soil Museum - ISRIC World Soil Information
ISRIC World Soil Information
Editor
Situated in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KULeuven has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it is Belgium's largest university and, founded in 1425, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KULeuven offers a wide variety of international master’s programmes, all supported by high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research.
Since its founding, KULeuven has been based in the city that shares its name. Leuven is a pleasant, safe and bustling student town, where centuries-rich history meets cutting-edge science. The university also offers degree programmes at campuses in 11 Belgian cities, including Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp.
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