(12 hours)
5.1 Introduction to soil systems
5.2 Terrestrial food production systems and food choices
5.3 Soil degradation and conservation
At the end of Subtopic 5.1 - Introduction to soil systems, you should be able to:
- Identify the horizons of a soil profile - O, A, B and C.
- Explain how soil can be viewed as a system.
- Outline the soil system storages.
- Outline the transfer of material in a soil profile.
- Outline the inputs and outputs of the soil system.
- Explain how transfers and transformations contribute to the organization of the soil into horizons.
- Explain how soil is an ecosystem.
- Apply the soil triangle to compare and contrast the composition of soils.
- Explain the impact soil texture has on mineral and nutrient content, drainage, water-holding capacity, air spaces, biota and potential to hold organic matter.
- Explain how soil texture impacts primary productivity.
- Compare and contrast different soil textures with reference to the soil triangle.
- Compare and contrast the properties of sand, clay and loam soils.
By the end of this Subtopic 5.2 - Terrestrial food production systems and food choices, you should be able to:
- Discuss factors that influence choice of farming practices.
- Explain reasons for differences in food production around the world.
- Compare and contrast two different food production systems.
- Discuss the environmental impacts of intensive commercial farming.
- Evaluate organic farming methods.
- Describe different subsistence farming systems.
- Identify factors that contribute to hunger around the world.
- Distinguish between the reasons for food waste in less economically developed countries and more economically developed countries.
- Explain the role of consumer choice on farming methods.
- Evaluate use of farmers markets.
- Outline the reasons for increase in demand for meat.
- Justify whether the increase in demand for meat is sustainable.
- Describe factors that influence sustainability of farming systems.
- Discuss sustainable farming strategies.
- Analyze data associated with inputs and outputs within farm production systems.
At the end of Subtopic 5.3 - Soil degradation and conservation, you should be able to:
- Describe properties of fertile soils.
- Outline role of succession in soil fertility.
- Identify inputs, outputs and associated processes that impact soil nutrient levels.
- Explain why soil is considered to be a non-renewable resource.
- Discuss causes of soil loss and degradation.
- Apply positive feedback process to soil degradation in marginal areas.
- Outline factors which contribute to desertification.
- Evaluate use of different soil conservation methods.
- Discuss how soil conservation measures can be used in both small scale subsistence farms and large commercial farms.
- Compare and contrast food production systems in large and small farms.