ERTH535-17A (HAM)

Land and Soil Evaluation

15 Points

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Faculty of Science and Engineering
Te Mātauranga Pūtaiao me te Pūkaha
School of Science

Staff

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Convenor(s)

David Lowe

David Lowe
4438
DE.3.02
To be advised
dlowe@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Megan Balks

Megan Balks
4109
DE.1.02
To be advised
erth1270@waikato.ac.nz

Louis Schipper

Louis Schipper
4468
FG.3.03
To be advised
schipper@waikato.ac.nz

Administrator(s)

Placement Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: cward@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5 or 9 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.
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Paper Description

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In this 15 point paper, we examine how land and soil may be evaluated to provide an improved understanding of sustainable land management taking into account productivity and environmental goals. For the Tokanui Farm field day/workshop, we are joined by guest lecturers. Contact details for the farm management and access for mapping, and important protocols to observe whilst on the farm, are also given below. We are grateful to Tokanui Farm manager/staff for their support. Details subject to confirmation at start of paper.

Guest lecturers:

Dr David Houlbrooke (AgResearch, Hamilton) David.Houlbrooke@agresearch.co.nz

Dr Debbie Care (Wintec/Agritec, consultant) Debbie.Care@agritec.ac.nz or Debbie.Care@wintec.ac.nz

Tokanui Farm office contact: Denise Adams denise.adams@agresearch.co.nz, ph [07] 870 5137 ext 7118)

Farm manager: Shane Didunski Shane.Dodunski@agresearch.co.nz, ph 027 222 1240

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Paper Structure

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The paper is composed of lectures, a field mapping exercise, an N budgeting exercise, two student oral seminars, and a write-up (essay) associated with one of the seminars, as summarised in the schedule.

Participants in the course will normally meet during term times in E2.01 on Fridays 9 – 11 am (or as required/advised).

The paper is supported by learning resources accessed via Moodle

All assignments are essential.

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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • Evaluate and discuss issues involved with land use from a range of viewpoints (scientist, farmer, regulator/politician, educator) and especially its intensification in the Waikato region
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Map soil classes and LUC classes using the Land Use Capability Handbook and other tools
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  • Evaluate and discuss land attributes to aid decision making by land managers
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  • Prepare a nitrogen budget for different soils and a selected land use
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  • Evaluate and discuss issues of land contamination and their mitigation
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  • Communicate and present scientific and other data (e.g., regulatory information) effectively in oral and written form
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessment

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Assessment Components

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 3:2. 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 3:2 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. Assignment 1 Tokanui mapping
5 May 2017
4:30 AM
25
  • Hand-in: Faculty Information (FG Link)
2. Assignment 2 N budget for Tokanui
5 May 2017
4:30 AM
5
  • Hand-in: Faculty Information (FG Link)
3. Assignment 3 Oral presentation on N
7 Apr 2017
9:00 AM
10
  • In Class: In Workshop
4. Assignment 4 Land contamination: parts A (oral presn) and B (write-up)
26 May 2017
9:00 AM
20
5. 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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Required and Recommended Readings

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Required Readings

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I.H. Lynn, A.K. Manderson, M.J. Page, G.R Harmsworth, G.O. Eyles, G.B. Douglas, A.D. Mackay, and P.J.F. Newsome 2009. Land Use Capability Survey Handbook 3rd Edition. AgResearch Hamilton, Landcare Research, Lincoln, GNS Science, Lower Hutt. 163 pp.

Also required will be Hewitt (2010) and Webb and Lilburne (2011) for NZSC information.

We will lend a copy of each of the two NZSC books and of the LUC Handbook to the class. These must be returned in good condition at the end of the paper. (Failure to do so could result in penalties.)

Lynn et al. (2009) is available for purchase ($45) from the New Zealand Society of Soil Science via Isabelle Vanderkolk (administrator at AgResearch Grasslands, Palmerston North, Isabelle.Vanderkolk@agresearch.co.nz, or it can be downloaded free from the Landcare Research website at http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/soil/luc/luc_handbook.pdf. A pdf version of the downloaded low-resolution version is available on Moodle as well as on the Landcare Research website.

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Recommended Readings

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References will be provided during the paper for each topic.
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Online Support

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Online support will be provided via Moodle, which is accessible to all students who are enrolled in the paper.

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Workload

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The paper involves up to 8 lectures, a field day/workshop (Tokanui Farm 10 Mar) and subsequent independent mapping for 2 days (14 Mar, 21 Mar) on Tokanui Farm and associated write-up, preparation of a nitrogen budget for part Tokanui Farm, preparation and presentation of two oral seminars, preparation of an essay associated with one of the seminars, and preparation for a final 3-hour exam. A 500-level 15 point paper in any of the science subjects offered by the University of Waikato typically involves less than ~30 hours of supervised study and it is assumed that up to ~120 hours will be spent in private study by an ‘average’ student. Students should allocate the ~120 hours approximately as 70% for course work and 30% for exam preparation.

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Linkages to Other Papers

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This paper is complementary to ERTH533-17B.

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Prerequisite(s)

ERTH333, ERTH334 or ERTH384

Corequisite(s)

Equivalent(s)

Restriction(s)

ERTH531

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