Soil Ecology and Functions

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Recommended for students with an interest in Environmental Microbiology. Maximum number of students: 30
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
The module will present an introduction to soil organisms, their ecology and the functional role they play in soil. The module will provide fundamental information on: the soil as a microbial and macrobial habitat; the diversity of organisms living in soil, their food-web interactions and their functional role in nutrient cycling. The associated practical work will provide experience in use of computer models to study the soil nitrogen cycle and techniques for studying soil organisms in the laboratory.

Aims:
This module aims to provide the student with:
? A knowledge of the major groups of organisms in soil, including microorganisms, meso- and macro-fauna.
? An understanding of interactions of soil organisms in food webs and with the soil physical and chemical environment.
? An insight into the functional role of soil organisms as drivers of soil organic matter dynamics and nutrient cycling.
? A practical and theoretical understanding of techniques used to study soil organisms.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Assessable outcomes
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
- Compare the morphological and metabolic diversity of organisms living in soil
- Analyse the trophic relationships between soil organisms and their interactions with soil physical and chemical properties at different spatial and temporal scales
- Evaluate the functional roles of soil organisms in decomposition and nutrient cycling and the wider environmental signifance of these processes
- Use a computer model to predict transformations and losses in the soil nitrogen cycle and appraise the model output
- Identify and criticise methodologies used to test, enumerate and isolate soil organisms in the laboratory

Additional outcomes:
- Students will gain general experience of microbiology practical work, including considerations of sterile technique and health and safety issues.
- They will enhance their IT skills, especially in the graphical representation of data using a computer package.
- The students will gain a holistic understanding of soil ecological functioning at the centre of terrestrial ecosystems and become familiar with new terminology and concepts in a highly topical field.

Outline content:
The lecture content covers:
Introduction to soil ecology and functions
The soil habitat
Soil microorganisms
Metabolic diversity of soil microorganisms
Soil mesoorganisms
Soil macroorganisms
Organism interactions and soil processes ? microbial control 1
Organism interactions and soil processes ? microbial control 2
Plant-microbe symbioses
Organism interactions and soil processes ? influence of soil animals

The practical content covers:
Isolation, microscopic examination and characterization of free-living and symbiotic soil bacteria and fungi
Examination of soil animals
Computer simulation of the nitrogen cycle

Global context:
This module examines the soil biological and biochemical processes that contribute to the global biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
There will be one lecture each week followed by a laboratory or computer-based practical of about three hours work with the exception of weeks 6 and 7 where the students will prepare for and lead a poster session, respectively.

Contact hours:
Lectures 15
Seminars 2.5
Practicals classes and workshops 22.5
Guided independent study 58
Total hours by term 98

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam 50
Written assignment including essay 20
Report 20
Set exercise 10

Other information on summative assessment:
The module will assessed by both coursework (50%) and exam (50%).

Coursework
Will consist of three components:
1. A poster presentation (in groups) on the metabolic diversity of soil microorganisms.
2. A 1500 word essay on the impact of earthworms on soil microarthropods,
3. A structured assignment using the model, N-cycle.

Relative percentage of coursework: 50%

Length of examination:
A 1.5 h exam

Requirements for a pass:
40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination (50%) and re-submission of coursework (50%) in August/September.