FBL 205: Soil survey, classification and Land Evaluation

Subject Ante and Title: FBL 205 Soil survey, classification and Land Evaluation

Subject status:                       Core

Credits rating:                       7.5

Time distribution:

Lectures:                     30 hours

Tutorials:                     10 hours

Practical:                     15 hours

Assignments:               10 hours

Independent study:     10 hours

Prerequisite: FBL 101

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Explain different concepts and key terminologies used in soil survey and land evaluation
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of principles of soil survey and classification and land evaluation techniques.
  3. Classify soils and undertake soil evaluation for forest purposes.
  4. Plan and undertake land evaluation and prepare reports and soil maps

Contents: The evolution and development of soil classification systems. Examples of soil classification systems from different parts of the world. Correlation of soil classes. Major soils of East Africa. The need for soil survey, soil survey procedures. Preparation of soil survey reports and soil maps. Interpretation of soil survey documents. Use of remote sensing techniques in soil data collection. Land use planning and evaluation. Land evaluation in forestry and wildlife lands. Use of soil information data in forest site classification.

Required Readings

  1. White, R.E. 1997. Principles and Practice of Soil Science: The Soil as a Natural Resource. 3rd Edition. Blackwell Science Ltd., Oxford, UK.
  2. FAO 2014. World reference base for soil resources . International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. WORLD SOIL RESOURCES REPORTS.
  3. Donahue, R.L., Miller, R.W. and Shickluna, J.C. (l992). Soils: An introduction to soils and plant growth. Prentice Hall, Inc., Inglewood Cliffs, N.J. USA

Recommended Reading

  1. Gardiner, D.T. and Miller, R.W. (2004). Soils in Our Environment. 10th Edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ 641 p.
  2. USDA and NRCS (2014). Keys to Soil Taxonomy. 11th Edition. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC.