LFU:online

The students will get a comprehensive overview of different aspects on soil fertility and quality, with particular interest to mountain environments. In particular, students will be able to interpret and explain the concept of biological, chemical and physical soil quality and their interrelations, give examples of soil quality indicators, understand and apply the concept of nutrient and contaminant (bio-)availability and mobility. Students will gather knowledge of the intimate correlation between the biotic and abiotic factors driving soil fertility. Practical applications will also be considered. Knowledge and understanding of chemical and microbiological processes involved in pedogenetic processes such as soil formation and in carbon and mineral nutrient cycling will be gathered. Both qualitative and quantitative aspects will be presented.

In addition, students will acquire capabilities in the presentation of the skills acquired with an appropriate language and use of technical and specific terms.

• Factors affecting soil formation
• Biological, chemical and physical aspects of soil and their interactions
• The concept of soil quality
• Soil quality indicators
• Soil functionality and biodiversity
• Next-generation biomonitoring of soils diversity
• Soil degradation: environmental protection and strategies for sustainable development
• Nutrient cycles
• Nutrient dynamics in the soil-plant-microorganism system
• Bioavailability and mobility of nutrients and contaminants
• Rhizosphere soil and nutrient availability
• Plant growth promotion
• Sustainable approaches for improving soil properties
• Soil formation: Microbial role and plant growth from glaciers to the forest: case studies on the Alps and other cold environments
• Permafrost and his role in global climate and environmental systems

Frontal lectures with Power Point presentation slides. Practical lessons and laboratory activities are also foreseen. Specialized review papers on the topic will be presented through the entire course.

Oral

Comprehensive scientific case-study papers and review articles on the topic will be used.