Unit 4-Soils & Agriculture

Objectives

To review the chemistry, structure, and ecology of soils.
To examine the dynamics and causes of soil erosion.
To examine methods used to control soil erosion.
To consider some of the problems associated with modern agriculture.
To explore the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture.
To apply critical thinking skills in the study of a particular natural resource issue.
To work on crafting a clear, concise, and well-documented research paper.

Dust storm approaching town

Photo credit: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association

Readings

Natural Resource Conservation (text)

Chapter 7 (including the GIS and Remote Sensing text box)
Chapter 8

Unit 4 Reading Study Guide: Link opens new browser window.

Lecture Video

There is no lecture video assigned this week.

Assignments

1. Complete and submit your Ecological Footprint Paper or Poster.

Ecological Footprint Paper Instructions

Ecological Footprint Poster Instructions

Supplemental Research

The following are links to sites containing material related to this week’s lecture topics. They are provided for your information only and are not assigned reading.


Agroecosystems: Link opens .pdf file. An environmental assessment of agroecosystems world-wide, published by the World Resources Institute.
The Land Institute: Link opens new browser window. The Land Institute is a non-profit research and education organization that is working to develop an agricultural system with the ecological stability of the prairie and a grain yield comparable to that from annual crops. Check out History and Philosophy of Natural Systems Agriculture (under “Organization”).