Course overview
Soils are the most complex and diverse ecosystem in the world. In addition to providing humanity with more than 95% of its food, soils provide a broad range of other important services such as carbon storage, greenhouse gas regulation and by playing a key role in global nutrient cycling. However, as a finite resource, soils face escalating pressure from population growth and heightened consumption, especially in intensified agriculture and urban development. These challenges are made even more significant by climate change effects on weather patterns and extreme events. The course emphasizes sustainable soil use and introduces key principles and strategies to tackle sustainability challenges effectively.
Course learning outcomes
- Understand the complexity of soils as (agro)ecosystems that are crucial for humanity
- Identify the diverse ecosystem services soils provide, including carbon removal and storage, regulation of greenhouse gases and cycling of nutrients
- Comprehend the impacts humans are having on soil resources, emphasising the need for sustainable soil management practices
- Apply key principles and strategies to address soil sustainability issues
- Understand policy and regulatory frameworks relating to soil sustainability, including carbon stock assessment and crediting
- Critically assess current approaches and explore and communicate innovative pathways towards sustainable soil stewardship