GV2F4NU-Soil Ecology & Functions

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Semesters in which taught: Semester 2 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Elizabeth Shaw
Email: e.j.shaw@reading.ac.uk

NUIST Module Lead: Adharsh Rajasekar
Email: adharsh.r@nuist.edu.cn

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module addresses the diversity and functions of soil organisms, focusing on their ecology and roles in carbon and nutrient biogeochemistry.

Aims:

This module aims to provide the students with an understanding of the soil as a microbial and macrobial habitat, as well as a knowledge of the diversity of soil organisms, their food-web interactions and functional roles in nutrient cycling.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, the students will be able to:

• Describe the major groups of organisms in soil and their roles in soil functioning.


• Discuss the major interactions between soil organisms and physical and chemical properties of the soil.


• Explain the role of soil organisms as drivers of soil organic matter dynamics and nutrient cycling.


• Understand the symbiosis between soil microbes and plantÌý

Additional outcomes:

The students will develop key skills in the critical appraisal of scientific information, written communication, time management and the use of technical vocabulary. It is expected that students should be able to apply their knowledge through oral presentation.

Outline content:

• Introduction to soil ecology and functions


• Soil habitat (1): revision on the formation, development of soil profiles, soil horizons and classification


• Soil habitat (2): a home for organisms


• Occurrence and distribution of soil organisms (rhizosphere, spatio-temporal patterns)


• Primary production processes in soil


• Soil microorganisms (bacteria, archaea and fungi)


• Metabolic diversity of soil microorganisms


• Soil meso-organisms and macro-organisms


• Introduction to biogeochemical cycles


• Biogeochemical cycles of phosphorus and sulfur


• Biogeochemical cycles of trace metals


• Ecological function of soils: carbon cycling and soil organic matter


• Ecological function of soils: nitrogen cycling


• Ecological function of soils: mycorrhizae


• Plant-microbe symbiosis

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A combination of lectures and seminar-type, student-led presentations