6 EC
Semester 1, period 3
5264SOLD6Y
This is an advanced course for master students earth sciences. Present and past concepts of degradation processes in geomorphology and soil science will be introduced and discussed. These will include the key concepts of scale and resilience, as well as the concept of land degradation neutrality. Soil erosion, soil formation rates and sediment transfer and balances in their broadest sense will be treated in detail. Case studies will be used to demonstrate how processes can be quantified and influenced by human interventions, including their role in carbon sequestration. Different ways of quantifying soil and landscape degradation will be reviewed. The relationship of soil loss and erosion to soil material properties will be stressed.
Soil erosion and conservation, R.P.G. Morgan, 3rd edition, 2005. Approx. € 70,-.
Montanarella, (2015) Agricultural policy: Govern our soils, Nature 528, 32–33 (03 December 2015), doi:10.1038/528032a
Jerolmack et al. 2012, Internal boundary layer model for the evolution of desert dune fields, Nature Geoscience, 5, 206, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1381
Borrelli et al. 2017, an assessment of the global impact of the 21st century land use change on soil erosion. Nature Communications 8:2013; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-02142-7
Kust, G., Andreeva, O., Cowie, A., 2017. Land Degradation Neutrality: Concept development, practical applications and assessment. Journal of Environmental Management, 195, 16-24.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.10.043
Other material (scientific articles) depending on the topic selected
Discussion lectures
In the discussion lectures the textbook of Morgan will be covered as well as key papers on the specific topics that are to be selected by the students. Each meeting a lecture will be followed by individual presentations given by some of the students on their selected special topics. During the series of the discussion lectures all literature will be handled, and all students have to present their selected key paper in one of the discussion lectures.
Preparation: All students will study the textbook texts in advance as well as the papers related to the student’s selected special topics that are presented that lecture. A detailed schedule will be prepared during the first lecture meeting. The preparation in advance of the discussion lectures is necessary to invoke a discussion on the lecture topics and the presented key-papers. Students are requested to present at least two questions or propositions on the texts that are presented by their colleagues
Seminar
During the final seminar all students will give a short pitch (3 minutes) on the findings of their mini literature review.
Project (mini literature review):
Each student selects a special topic from the list provided on Canvas and writes a mini-literature review on the topic selected. This review is based on a study of at least 14 papers including a 'key paper' that should also be presented in the discussion lectures. The report should have a size of between 3000-4000 words and should be ready and handed in at the end of the course. Information on topics and guideline for writing the report can be found on Canvas.
|
Course Part |
Number |
Duration / time needed |
Hours per activity |
Weight (%) |
|
Discussion lectures and textbook self study (including examination) |
8 |
10 |
80 |
50 |
|
Presentation special topic mini literature review |
1 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
|
Final Presentation mini literature review (pitch) |
1 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
|
Lit. Review (report) (self study) |
1 |
72 |
72 |
40 |
This programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (TER part B).
Additional requirements for this course:
Discussion Lectures: Presence is mandatory. If missed more than 2 times you will fail for this part (grade =1.0) and consequently for the course.
Interim Presentation of mini literature review. Students prepare a presentation of a scientific paper related to their selected topic. Students give feedback, the lecturers will give the final grade and feedback.
Final Presentation of mini-literature review: Presence is mandatory. Students present an overview of their selected topic, Students give feedback, the lecturers will give the final grade and feedback.
Examination: presence is mandatory.
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade | |
|
5% Presentation key paper literature review | Must be ≥ 5 |
|
5% Pitch literature review | Must be ≥ 6 |
|
40% Mini literature review report | Must be ≥ 5 |
|
25% Class room interaction | Must be ≥ 6 |
|
25% Lecture on Morgan Chapter | Must be ≥ 6 |
Each of the parts will be assessed separately. The final mark should be at least a 5.5 average to pass. There are no re-takes for the discussion meetings and presentations. If deadlines for assignments are not met then the mark will be 1.0 for that assessment.
Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.
Write a small review of a topic related to the course (see list of topics on Canvas), between 3000 and 4000 words in size, based on at least 14 scientific papers. This is an individual assignment
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
| Week | Topics | Deadline / Date | Literature |
| 1 |
Introduction, Processes and Hazard Assessment |
Introduction, Ch1-2 Morgan, paper Montanarella, Key papers |
|
| 2 |
Measuring soil erosion and modelling Presentations Key-papers |
Ch3-6 Morgan Key-papers |
|
| 3 |
Aeolian erosion Strategies and Management for soil erosion Presentations Key-papers |
Ch2, sect 2.8, paper Jerolmack et al. Ch 7-10 Key-papers |
|
| 4 |
Implementation Final Presentations by all (pitch) Hand in final report (mini literature review) |
29 January 30 January 3 February 9:00 |
Ch11-12 Morgan
|
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
Knowledge of geomorphological processes at BSc level is required for enrollment
The course has a minimum enrollment of 8 participants, the maximum is set at 20 students