This course focuses on the morphology, chemistry, hydrology and formation of mineral and organic soils in wet environment. Students will study: 1) the biogeochemical processes involved in the genesis of hydromorphic soils, 2) soil hydrology for a variety of landscape settings, 3) soil morphological indicators of wet conditions, and 4) how to interpret soil-landscapes. In addition to field trips to study soils in a field setting, students will delineate the hydric soils boundary for a wetland site near campus and develop a comprehensive report of their findings. Additional topics include peatlands, wetland benefits, preservation, regulation, mitigation, and instrumentation to monitor soil water and redox fluxes. Course material is not of an introductory nature and assumes prior knowledge of soil science (an introductory soils course) and the ability to integrate information from several disciplines in order to understand wetland processes. Scheduled in late afternoon to accommodate extension students. In addition to lectures, one hour-long recitation section is scheduled per week to concentrate on the terminology and methods used for soil profile descriptions, field instrumentation, and for in-depth discussion of lecture topics.
Contact Dr. Bell
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The URL of this page is: http://www.soils.agri.umn.edu/academics/classes/soil5555/