Habitat Studies 1400-215SIED-en
The following topics will be explained during the lectures:
- factors influencing establishment and development of terrestrial habitats,
- characteristics and ecological significance of aquatic habitats,
- functioning of wetland ecosystems,
- types of wetland ecosystems,
- role of soil in the energy flow, water cycle and biogeochemical cycles,
- basic physical, chemical and biological features of mineral and organic soils,
- main soil and soil-forming processes,
- factors differentiating soils globally.
Before the start of practical classes, some introductory activities are performed online. Practical classes take place in the field station of the University of Warsaw in Urwitałt (Masurian Lakeland) over two weeks in September. During a series of field trips students explore features of postglacial landscape, learn to identify soils according to their morphological features and to assess impact of bedrock, water balance, plant communities and soil fauna on soil properties. In groups, students perform soil/sediment sampling procedures in 3-4 different habitats. The collected samples are used in laboratory analyses of the most important soil/sediment properties (e.g. pH, content of main nutrients, characteristics of humic substances). Additionally, students identify and describe structure of micro- and mesofauna in soils. Finally, each group integrates all types of the obtained results, interprets and presents them during an oral presentation.
Type of course
optional courses
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
1. on genesis, differentiation and characteristics of aquatic and terrestrial habitats (K_W02, K_W07)
2. on relations between habitat, biotop and biocenosis (K_W02, K_W04)
3. on natural and anthropogenic transformations of habitats (K_W05, K_W06)
4. on factors differentiating global soil surface (K_W07)
5. on practical use of habitat studies in environmental protection (K_W05, K_W06, K_W07)
6. on common methods of analysis and assessment of aquatic and terrestrial habitats (K_W03)
Abilities:
1. use of common methods for description and identification of soil (mineral and organic) and waters ( K_U01, K_U03)
2. use of graphical and statistical methods for results interpretation (K_U02)
3.interpretation of mutual relations between habitat and biocenosis (K_U04, K_U06)
4. individual studies on proposed literature and internet resources (K_U05)
5. proper presentation of results with bibliography (K_U012)
6. has the ability to use scientific literature in Polish and English (K_U013)
Social abilities:
1. team work (K_U05)
2. proper use of health and safety rules in laboratory (K_U01)
3. discriminating analysis of information accessible in mass media and scientific literature (K_U02, K_U03)
4. broadening and updating knowledge on practical aspects of habitat studies (K_U02)
Assessment criteria
Lecture - written exam (test). Practical course - individual scientific project (evaluation of realization and presentation of its results).
Bibliography
Materials in English:
1. Sposito G. 2016. The chemistry of soils (available as e-book from the University of Warsaw Library https://www.buw.uw.edu.pl/en/)
2. Dar G.H. 2020. Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry (available as e-book from the University of Warsaw Library https://www.buw.uw.edu.pl/en/)
3. Verma S.K. (ed) 2015. Management of Degraded Lands and Soil Health (available as e-book from the University of Warsaw Library https://www.buw.uw.edu.pl/en/)
4. Kabata-Pendias A., Pendias H. 2001. Trace elements in soils and plants. CRC Press, Floryda. http://base.dnsgb.com.ua/files/book/Agriculture/Soil/Trace-Elements-in-Soils-and-Plants.pdf
5. Schoenholtz S.H., Van Miegroet H., Burger J.A. 2000. A review of chemical and physical properties as indicators of forest soil quality: challenges and opportunities. For. Ecol. Manage. 138: 335-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(00)00423-0
6. World reference Base for Soil Resources, 2022https://www3.ls.tum.de/fileadmin/w00bds/boku/downloads/wrb/WRB_fourth_edition_2022-12-18.pdf
If needed, additional materials in English will be provided by teachers.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: