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Writing Assignments

Writing Assignments. 1. Short Science/Nature style news/commentary of role of soils in a current environemntal issue ~ 1000 words Agricultural soils as a sink for C and a means of complying with Kyoto protocol Can soils withstand or control the human-induced increases in global N deposition?

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Writing Assignments

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  1. Writing Assignments 1. Short Science/Nature style news/commentary of role of soils in a current environemntal issue ~ 1000 words Agricultural soils as a sink for C and a means of complying with Kyoto protocol Can soils withstand or control the human-induced increases in global N deposition? The fate of soils and ecosystems in absence of landscape rejuvination Unexpected positive aspects of soil erosion as a global C sink Issues and ethics of reducing deforestation as a atmospheric CO2 source 2. NSF/NASA grant application or Grad School Essay Centering on Soils Grad students should focus on a 3-4 page, concise, NSF-style research proposal centering on soil-related problem of your choice Undergrads may choose to either write an NSF proposal or write a 3 page essay on their interest in soils and what they wish to pursue in grad school and beyond related to that topic.

  2. Pedology • Coined in mid 19th Century by French scientist • Derived from Greek: pedon=ground, logia = discourse • “The study, in situ, of the biogeochemical processes that form and distribute soils” • An observatioinal, vs. an experimental, science - nature is the laboratory • Origins attributed to two centers: Russia (Dokuchaev) and Berkeley (Hilgard)

  3. Definition of Soils Many definitions Soil is part of a continuum of materials at earth’ surface Soil vs. non-soil at bottom and top Different soils laterally Need to divide continuum into systems, or discrete segments, for study Hans Jenny (1930’s) conceptualized soils as physical systems amenable and susceptible to physical variables (STATE FACTORS)

  4. Soils as a Physical System System is open to surroundings (exchange energy and matter) System Properties = f (intial state, external surrounding, time) “Soil is those portion’s of the earth’s crust whose properties vary with soil forming factors”

  5. BIOTA CLIMATE TOPOGRAPHY PARENT MATERIAL TIME

  6. Additional Comments on Pedology • No clear line of demarcation between Pedology and other sciences (e.g. geology, ecology, etc.)

  7. Role of Pedology in Scientific and Societal Problems • Carbon and nitrogen cycles • Are soils part of an unidentified sink for CO2? • What is the effect of agricultural on soil C (and atm CO2)? • Will soils store excess N from human activity? • Chemistry of natural waters • How do soils release elements with time and space? • Earth history • ‘Paleosols’ and evolution of land plants, atmospheric CO2 records, human evolution • Soils and archaeology • Biodiversity • Is soil diversity analogous to, and complementary to, biodiversity • Microorganisms in soil represent unknown biodiversity resources

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