EARTH322-23A (HAM)

Soil and Water Management

15 Points

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Division of Health Engineering Computing & Science
School of Science
Earth Sciences

Staff

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Convenor(s)

David Campbell

David Campbell
5189
FG.3.02
See Moodle
david.campbell@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Dori Torres-Rojas

Dori Torres-Rojas
CELL
E.1.09
See Moodle
dori.torres-rojas@waikato.ac.nz

Louis Schipper

Louis Schipper
4468
FG.3.03
See Moodle
louis.schipper@waikato.ac.nz

Administrator(s)

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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What this paper is about

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This paper integrates an understanding of land/soil and water processes that occur at paddock to catchment to national scales. Emphasis is on management practices that optimise resource use for land-based production purposes, focusing on avoiding or minimising environmental effects.

Topics include soil degradation, soil fertility, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling, and the hydrological setting within which land use practices take place. Hydrological topics build on understanding catchment-scale processes and estimating water balance components, including evaporation and drainage. Topics in the paper are set within the context of resource management law and the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

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How this paper will be taught

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The paper is taught via lectures (in-person, online and recorded), tutorials, practical tasks and assignments, a field trip, and an exam.

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Required Readings

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Powerpoint slides will be available on Moodle before the lecture. Available on Moodle is also a set of one-page outlines for each lecture with self-testing questions. These notes are not intended to be a complete collection of reference material for the course. You are expected to research the topics yourself, using the library resources.

McLaren and Cameron 1996 Soil Science. 2nd edition. Oxford Press is recommended reading and the same text book used for the 2nd year soils course EARTH221. There are 8 copies in the library.
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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • Define the components of the catchment water balance and explain how these relate to a range of hydrological processes that occur within a catchment’s boundaries
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Describe factors and land management practices that result in the degradation of soil and approaches that are used to avoid or remediate this degradation
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Describe how changes in land use management can bring about changes in catchment water yield and quality, and describe the main measurement and modelling methods used to detect and study these changes
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Describe the management of soil nutrients (with an emphasis on nitrogen and phosphorus cycling) and soil pH, including beneficial and adverse effects on the land use and downstream receiving environments including water and atmosphere
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • In the context of the National Policy Statement – Freshwater Management, describe how land uses may be constrained by the need to set and achieve freshwater quality objectives
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessments

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How you will be assessed

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See assessment block below for details. Overall there are:

  • Three lab reports worth a combined 20%
  • A field trip report worth 15%
  • Two tests worth 12.5% each
  • Final exam worth 40%
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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 60:40. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 40% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 60:40 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 40% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Practical 1: Overseer
20 Mar 2023
6:00 PM
5
  • In Class: In Lab
2. Field trip report: Visual soil assessment
24 Apr 2023
5:00 PM
15
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Practical 2: Catchment water balance
8 May 2023
5:00 PM
7.5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
4. Practical 3: Evaporation estimation
22 May 2023
5:00 PM
7.5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
5. Test 1
6 Apr 2023
10:00 AM
12.5
  • In Class: In Lecture
6. Test 2
1 Jun 2023
10:00 AM
12.5
  • In Class: In Lecture
7. Exam
40
✔
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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