Soil Management
This module will draw on the expertise of Bangor University and NIAB to provide both a practical and a theoretical overview of soil management. Sustainable soil management is reviewed in relation to increasing food production efficiency whilst limiting environmental impacts and a decline in soil quality and services. The dynamic function of the soil system will be explored, including ecosystem services, nutrient budgets, carbon cycling, greenhouse gases and mitigation.
- Event Type:
- Workshops/Training Courses
- Date:
- Sep. 22, 2016 - Oct. 1, 2016
- Venue:
- Online
- Location:
- Online
The module’s units consist of:
The module’s units consist of:
- Soils, understanding the basics - the making of soil; basic properties of soils; major soil types in the UK; the EU Soils Directive.
- Soil quality and ecosystem services - soil as a resource; major threats to soil functions; indicators of quality; principles of sustainable use.
- Managing soils as a resource - soil degradation; erosion risk planning; soil conservation practices.
- Managing soils for food security: soil fertility - constructing a nutrient budget; efficient management of nutrients.
- Managing soils for food security: soil structure - soils as a rooting medium; managing soil compaction; role of organic matter; composts.
- Managing soils for biodiversity - the living soil; soil biota and their functions; improving soil biodiversity.
- Managing soils for water security – soils and water pollution; runoff generation and flooding; mitigating water quality impacts.
- Managing soils to mitigate climate change - greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions; carbon sequestration in soils; constructing C/GHG budget.
- Soils and human health - risks to human health (pathogens, metals); bio resource quality; current regulatory standards.
- Managing soils on the farm – guidance and legislation; current codes of practice, cross compliance; countryside stewardship; options for multiple gains.
Contributions from: Prof Paul Withers, Dr Dave Styles, Prof Dave Chadwick, Ron Stobart (NIAB).
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