Urban Soils, Substrates and Water

Subject ERTH90028 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 2, Burnley - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36
Total Time Commitment:

170

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where theymust actively and safely contribute to field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/. Email: disability-liaison@unimelb.edu.au

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Stephen Livesley

Contact

sjlive@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Urban soils can present distinct and unique challenges to the land manager, landscape architect or horticulturist responsible for developing, maintaining or improving urban landscapes. Often compacted, contaminated, or otherwise unsuitable for plant growth, urban soils require assessment, solutions and practical methods to ensure successful outcomes. This applications-oriented subject covers several fundamental soil science issues with direct relevance to urban landscape impacts, uses and requirements. Topics covered include compaction, nutrition, contamination, water supply, drainage and structural soils.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this subject students will be able to:

  • Discuss key soil physical and chemical properties and their application to urban soil typologies.
  • Undertake field assessments/measurement of soil properties (physical, hydrologic & chemical), including sampling of urban soils for laboratory analysis
  • Discuss the mechanisms that impact urban soil conditions.
  • Describe the rationale, function, design and installation of structural soils, containerised soils and other specialised environments
  • Assess methods used to remediate, alleviate and improve urban soils.
  • Investigate case studies of soil assessment, analysis and problem solving in different urban landscape scenarios (turf, tree, construction, horticultural, roads, etc.)
  • Discuss hydrological issues associated with soil water availability, irrigation supply and drainage management.

Discuss ecosystem services that urban soils provide to the population, built landscape and biodiversity

Assessment:
  • Short answer tests, Weeks 4 & 11 = 20%
  • Practical exam, Week 8 = 20%
  • Framing an urban soil management case study (group oral presentation) 15 minutes, Week 9 = 10%
  • Urban soil management case study (individual report) up to 3000 words,2 weeks after week 12 = 50%
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Generic skills obtained during this course will be:

  • Soil management skills for residential gardens, production horticulture, local government and major infrastructure.
  • Scientific understanding of key soil physical, chemical and hydrological properties.
  • Basic field and laboratory competencies for urban soil and landscape assessments.
  • Systems understanding of the urban landscape (water, substrate, vegetation, society, climate).

Oral presentation skills and inter-personal skills for group work under pressure.

Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Urban Horticulture
Master of Urban Horticulture
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Master of Science (Ecosystem Science) - Discipline Elective subjects
Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Regions
Tailored Specialisation

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