Soil Science/Environmental Studies 324
Soils and Environmental Quality
Fall, 2004

Instructors: James G. Bockheim, 435 King Hall, 263-5903, bockheim@wisc.edu

Lectures: MWF, 8:50-9:40am; 357 Soils Bldg.

Recommended Books:

Bailey, R.G. 1998. Ecoregions: the Ecosystem Geography of the Oceans and Continents. Spring, NY. 176 pp.

Barrow, C.J. 1991. Land Degradation: Development and Breakdown of Terrestrial Environments. Cambridge Univ. Press. 295 pp.

Chapin, F.S. III, P.A. Matson, and H.A. Mooney. 2002. Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. Springer, N.Y. 436 pp.

Schlesinger, W.H. 1997. Biogeochemistry: an Analysis of Global Change (2nd ed.). Academic Press, NY. 588 pp.

Grading: Exams (2 mid-terms and 1 final) – 60%; term paper (due Dec. 6) – 20%; class participation/attendance– 20%. Curve: 95-100 = A, 90-94 = AB, 85-89 = B, 80-84 = BC, etc.

Lecture Schedule:

Introduction
Lecture Date Title Reading    
1 Sept. 3 Introduction - scope & approach Barrow, Ch. 1    
2 Sept. 8 Ecosystem degradation: an overview      
3 Sept. 10 Ecosystem degradation: an overview, cont.      
4 Sept. 13 Causes of ecosystem degradation Barrow, Ch. 2    
 
The Role of Soils in the Planetary Ecosystem
5 Sept. 15 Global geochemical cycling Schlesinger, Ch. 6    
6 Sept. 17 Biogeochemical cycling at ecosystem/
landscape scale		 Chapin et al., Ch. 9  
7 Sept. 20 Global energy & hydrologic cycles Schlesinger, Ch. 3, 10    
8 Sept. 22 Soil and the biosphere Schlesinger, Ch. 4    
 
Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World
9 Sept. 24 Boreal forest and tundra Bailey, Ch. 5    
10 Sept. 27 Temperate forests Bailey, Ch. 6    
11 Sept. 29 Grasslands and deserts Bailey, Ch. 7    
12 Oct. 1 Wetlands      
13 Oct. 4 Tropical forests and savannas Bailey, Ch. 8    
14 Oct. 6 Examination I      
           
Human Transformations of Terrestrial Ecosystems
15 Oct. 8 Environmental "hotspots"      
16 Oct. 11 Transformation of land resources Barrow, Ch. 5-8    
17 Oct. 13 Global warming Barrow, Ch. 3    
18 Oct. 15 Urbanization & environmental quality      
19 Oct. 18 Anthropogenic nitrogen deposition Barrow, Ch. 4    
20 Oct. 20 Desertification & loss of biodiversity Barrow, Ch. 8    
21 Oct. 22 World Map on Soil Degradation      
22 Oct. 25 On-site waste disposal treatment      
23 Oct. 27 Radon toxicity hazard      
24 Oct. 29 Agrichemicals – fertilizers      
25 Nov. 1 Agrichemicals – pesticides      
26 Nov. 3 Case study: Chesapeake Bay      
27 Nov. 5 Industrial chemicals      
28 Nov. 8 Examination II      
29 Nov. 10 Soil-borne insects/pathogens and human health      
 
Sustainable Land Use: How Can Humankind Live Sustainably on Earth?
30 Nov.12 Sustainable agriculture      
31 Nov. 15 "Smart" growth and land-use planning  

 

  
32 Nov. 17 Composting; precision agriculture      
33 Nov. 19 Bioremediation      
34 Nov. 22 Sanitary landfills      
35 Nov. 24 Sustainable forestry and watershed protection      
36 Nov. 29 Control of soil erosion Barrow, Ch. 10    
37 Dec. 1 Water conservation and quality      
38 Dec. 3 Alternative energy sources and efficiency      
39 Dec. 6 World food production      
40 Dec. 8 Solving homeowner problems      
41 Dec. 10 Environmental impact statements      
42 Dec. 13 Final thoughts; course evaluation      
43 Dec. 15 Examination III      

 

Term Paper

A term paper covering some aspect of a soil-related environmental problem is required of each student. The paper should NOT be an extensive literature review; rather, case studies or a critique of a report or state/federal laws or rules governing pollution abatement make excellent papers. You could also critique the policies of an organization dealing with environmental issues such as WorldWatch, UNEP, etc. The paper should not exceed 10 pages (typed, double spaced).

The preliminary title and outline should be discussed with me by October 8 (see outline below). The paper is due December 6 and contributes 20% of your final grade. Term papers will not be accepted after the deadline. Grading of the term paper includes suitability of the topic (10 pts.), originality of treatment (10), neatness (10), organization (20), mechanics and grammar (10), conceptualization of the problem (10), logic and conclusions (20), reference quality (10 pts.). Please make two copies of your paper, one for me to examine and one for your files.

Soils/Environ. Stud. 324
Term Paper Outline
(due October 8, 2004)

Name: ________________________

Approximate Title: ________________________________________________________________________

Outline:


Selected References: