Geopedology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The main aims are:
- to know the physical and geomorphological characteristics of mountain terrain
- to know the fundamentals for geomorphological features of moutaineous areas
- to give the fundamentals to understand the processes involved in the formation of the different soil types and their interactions with the other environmental factors, such as natural vegetation and agricultural uses, climate, lithologi substrate, geomorphic properties;
- to know the soil description and sampling techniques will be learnt in the field during excursions in different mountain habitats;
- to know the basics of soil mapping and land evaluation will be treated as well, taking into account the soil degradation processes such as erosion.
- to know the physical and geomorphological characteristics of mountain terrain
- to know the fundamentals for geomorphological features of moutaineous areas
- to give the fundamentals to understand the processes involved in the formation of the different soil types and their interactions with the other environmental factors, such as natural vegetation and agricultural uses, climate, lithologi substrate, geomorphic properties;
- to know the soil description and sampling techniques will be learnt in the field during excursions in different mountain habitats;
- to know the basics of soil mapping and land evaluation will be treated as well, taking into account the soil degradation processes such as erosion.
Expected learning outcomes
The learning outcomes include:
- to recognise and describe geomorphological feature typical of the moutaineous areas, both in the field and from maps;
- a general view of the soil functions in the ecosystem;
- the capacity of interpreting the different soil tyoes and their relationships with other environmental factors (geomorphology, geology, climate, vegetation and agriculture), their specific limitations and their sustainable use
- ability to describe and sample a soil profile in the field;
-ability to interpret a soil and land capability map
- to recognise and describe geomorphological feature typical of the moutaineous areas, both in the field and from maps;
- a general view of the soil functions in the ecosystem;
- the capacity of interpreting the different soil tyoes and their relationships with other environmental factors (geomorphology, geology, climate, vegetation and agriculture), their specific limitations and their sustainable use
- ability to describe and sample a soil profile in the field;
-ability to interpret a soil and land capability map
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The course will be carried out according to the following ways:
- Remote lectures using the Teams platform;
- field activities in presence;
The prerequisites are the same.
Written exam in presence
Oral exam using the Teams platform
The online lectures will be recorded
The course program and the materials are the same as usual.
- Remote lectures using the Teams platform;
- field activities in presence;
The prerequisites are the same.
Written exam in presence
Oral exam using the Teams platform
The online lectures will be recorded
The course program and the materials are the same as usual.
Course syllabus
Geomorphology and Physical Geography
- what is geomorphology and its importance
- Notes on the structure of the Planet Earth and notes on climatology and meteorology
- plate tectonics and formation of mountain ranges
- glacial and periglacial processes
- fluvial processes
- slope processes and landslides
- coastal processes
- dynamics and climate variations, and their effects on landforms, of the Quaternary
Field trip: recognition of mountain landforms and mapping in the field
Classroom exercices: undestanding a geomorphological map in alpine areas.
Pedology
- definitions, functions and ecosystem services of soils
- soil sampling and description in the field
- soil formation processes
- soil degradation processes (erosion and anthropic actions)
Field exercise: soil profile opening and description in groups, in two typical Alpine environements, on siliceous and carbonatic substrates.
- what is geomorphology and its importance
- Notes on the structure of the Planet Earth and notes on climatology and meteorology
- plate tectonics and formation of mountain ranges
- glacial and periglacial processes
- fluvial processes
- slope processes and landslides
- coastal processes
- dynamics and climate variations, and their effects on landforms, of the Quaternary
Field trip: recognition of mountain landforms and mapping in the field
Classroom exercices: undestanding a geomorphological map in alpine areas.
Pedology
- definitions, functions and ecosystem services of soils
- soil sampling and description in the field
- soil formation processes
- soil degradation processes (erosion and anthropic actions)
Field exercise: soil profile opening and description in groups, in two typical Alpine environements, on siliceous and carbonatic substrates.
Prerequisites for admission
The main prerequisites are general notions about vegetation, climate and chemistry
Teaching methods
The two corses will have frontal lectures, excercises in classa and maybe in computer lab, and field trips (2 field trips for pedology and one for geomorphology)
Teaching Resources
The study material will be available on Ariel and on a Drive folder, which will include the slides of the lectures, the registration of some lectures, (to be considered of help and not as substitutes for the lectures themselves), additional materials such as articles and books, examples of examls.
Assessment methods and Criteria
There will be one written exam for Geomorphology - Physical Geography and one for Pedology, with some closed questiones and some open, covering the main subjects of the courses. Each question will contribute to the final result in a precisely quantified, and previously explicitated, amount. The time limit will be two hours.
A "bonus" will contribute to the final mark, derived from written reports of the field activities performed during the field trips.
Many examples of the exams will be shown during the courses and will be available together with the course material on Ariel or Drive.
In non-emergency periods the oral exam will be voluntary.
The written exams will be performed in Edolo if the students participating will be 3 or more; otherwise it will be performed in Milano, in a place to be discussed.
It will be compulsory to sign uo for the exam on the University official digital system; the date and time of the voluntary oral exam will be however privately discussed with the lecturer.
The exams for students with specific DSA issues will be performed according to (https://www.unimi.it/it/servizi/servizi-disabili-e-dsa)
A "bonus" will contribute to the final mark, derived from written reports of the field activities performed during the field trips.
Many examples of the exams will be shown during the courses and will be available together with the course material on Ariel or Drive.
In non-emergency periods the oral exam will be voluntary.
The written exams will be performed in Edolo if the students participating will be 3 or more; otherwise it will be performed in Milano, in a place to be discussed.
It will be compulsory to sign uo for the exam on the University official digital system; the date and time of the voluntary oral exam will be however privately discussed with the lecturer.
The exams for students with specific DSA issues will be performed according to (https://www.unimi.it/it/servizi/servizi-disabili-e-dsa)
Elementi di geografia fisica e geomorfologia
AGR/14 - PEDOLOGY
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY
Field activity: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
D'Amico Michele Eugenio
Pedologia
AGR/14 - PEDOLOGY
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY
Field activity: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
D'Amico Michele Eugenio
Professor(s)