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A knowledge of soils as a resource in both natural and agricultural ecosystems is important to science, arts, education and engineering professionals involved in the sustainable management of biological systems. This introductory course focuses on soils as a medium for plant growth and investigates the nature and role of the soil chemical and physical properties, clay mineralogy, and soil biology as limiting factors on soil fertility. It also provides a comprehensive investigation of the processes of soil formation and the methods of soil description and classification. Both the physical and chemical processes of soil degradation are investigated and management practices to prevent, ameliorate and rehabilitate degraded land are discussed.
