Principles of Soil Management unit (ZAB224)

Introduction

In this unit you will learn how soil characteristics including physical, chemical and biological properties underpin and inform the development and implementation of soil management strategies. You will  investigate how soil health, plant productivity and ecosystem services can be influenced by land use, management practices and agricultural production activities. You will also explore how effective and sustainable soil management strategies can maintain and improve soil form and function in different ecological landscapes.

This unit also incorporates learning through practice by exposing you to authentic learning experiences. These experiences are placed at the centre of learning and assessment to provide you with opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to respond to industry, community and/or global needs. 

Through a range of learning experiences you will be introduced to:

• methods, practices and approaches relative to sustainable soil management;
• comparative analysis of soils to identify opportunities and limitations for agricultural production;
• ways of understanding problems associated with soil management and developing solutions.

Summary

Unit name	Principles of Soil Management
Unit code	ZAB224
Credit points	12.5
College/School	University College
Discipline	Pathways
Coordinator	Doctor Suzie Jones
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Explain how soil characteristics underpin and inform management strategies.
• Evaluate the impact of agricultural production activities on soil characteristics.
• Develop strategies that maintain and improve soil form and function in different ecological landscapes.
• Evaluate uptake and adoption of sustainable soil management strategies and practices.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

ZAB203

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	On-campus students: 8 x online 1 to 2 hour tutorials; 1 x half day online workshop; 2 optional Course-wide field trips are conducted. Off-campus students: 8 x online 1 to 2 hour tutorials; 1 x half day online workshop per semester. 2 optional Course-wide field trips are conducted.
Assessment	AT 1: Soil Characterisation (25%)|AT2: Soil Management Scenario Analysis (30%)|AT3: Soil management case study (45%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be provided by the Unit Coordinator.
Recommended	Recommended readings will be provided by the Unit Coordinator.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.