GV2F4-Soil Ecology and Functions

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Recommended for students with an interest in Terrestrial Ecosystem Processes and Environmental Microbiology.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Elizabeth Shaw
Email: e.j.shaw@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module will present an introduction to soil organisms, their ecology and the functional role they play in soil. The module will provide fundamental information on: the soil as a microbial and macrobial habitat; the diversity of organisms living in soil, their food-web interactions and their functional role in nutrient cycling. The associated practical work will provide experience in use of laboratory and/or computer simulation methods to study the soil nitrogen cycle and techniques for studying soil organisms in the laboratory. 

Aims:
This module aims to provide the student with:
£ A knowledge of the major groups of organisms in soil, including microorganisms, meso- and macro-fauna.
£ An understanding of interactions of soil organisms in food webs and with the soil physical and chemical environment.
£ An insight into the functional role of soil organisms as drivers of soil organic matter dynamics and nutrient cycling.
£ A practical and theoretical understanding of techniques used to study soil organisms.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Compare the morphological and metabolic diversity of organisms living in soil


• Analyse the trophic relationships between soil organisms and their interactions with soil physical and chemical properties at different spatial and temporal scales


• Evaluate the functional roles of soil organisms in decomposition and nutrient cycling and the biological and environmental controls on these processes.


• Evaluate the wider environmental significance of the functional roles of soil organisms in decomposition and nutrient cycling.


• Identify and critique methodologies used to test, enumerate and isolate soil organisms in the laboratory 

Additional outcomes:

• Students will gain general experience of microbiology practical work, including considerations of sterile technique and health and safety issues.


• They will enhance their IT skills, especially in the graphical representation of data using a computer package.


• The students will gain a holistic understanding of soil ecological functioning at the centre of terrestrial ecosystems and become familiar with new terminology and concepts in a highly topical field.

Outline content:

The lecture content covers:

• Introduction to soil ecology and functions


• The soil habitat


• Soil microorganisms


• Metabolic diversity of soil microorganisms


• Soil mesoorganisms


• Soil macroorganisms


• Organism interactions and soil processes – microbial control 1


• Organism interactions and soil processes – microbial control 2


• Plant-microbe symbioses


• Organism interactions and soil processes – influence of soil animals

The practical content covers:

• Isolation, microscopic examination and characterization of free-living and symbiotic soil bacteria and fungi


• Examination of soil animals


• The nitrogen cycle

Global context:

This module examines the soil biological and biochemical processes that contribute to the global biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be a 1.5 hour lecture each week followed in most weeks by a laboratory or computer-based practical of about two hours work with the exception of week 7 where the students will lead a poster session. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	13.5
Seminars	4
Practicals classes and workshops	10
Guided independent study:	61.5	11
Total hours by term			0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Set exercise	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Will consist of three components:

1. A poster presentation (in groups) on the metabolic diversity of soil microorganisms (10%).


2. A 1500 word essay (60%).


3. A 500 word data interpretation exercise (students choose to work with data from one lab practical, out of a choice of two) (30%)

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of coursework in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: Students may wish to purchase key text books from the reading list

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022