该课程旨在向学生介绍21世纪的土壤概念，适合希望从事陆上管理或环境保护职业的学生。土壤是陆地生态系统可持续性的基础，是粮食生产的关键。土壤是所有农业生产的基础，但它们也可以存储水，调解污染物的影响，提供生物栖息地，对我们大气中温室气体的积累有影响，参与社会废物的处理。一种可提取矿物的来源，并为社会赖以生存的住房和道路奠定基础。您将学习土壤功能和管理，以及土壤分类，评估和分析，并特别强调实用技能。您将获得有关土壤与土地资源可持续利用方法之间关系的专业知识。
About the programme Soil systems are a vital, non-renewable resource. They provide multiple ecosystem services and are an essential component of food production and food security globally. They are crucial in supporting delivery of services such as flood management, resilience to environmental change, and are a source of goods for infrastructure and development together with supporting a vast array of biodiversity both above and below ground. There is global recognition of the significant and increasing pressure that soils are under, requirement for urgent action needed for sustainable soil and land management has gained increasing international attention in recent years due to both the global climate and biodiversity crisis. Our Soils and Sustainability MSc has been developed in collaboration with industry and is an interdisciplinary programme, providing you with the essential knowledge and advanced skills to make informed decisions on sustainable land practice and soil management to help tackle some of the pressures on soils and contribute to enhancing resilience in future. The programme encompasses the fundamentals of soil science and soil’s role in wider environmental systems. In addition, you gain skills and experience in monitoring techniques to evaluate soils’ role and effective management in various environmental landscapes and socioeconomic contexts. What will I learn The MSc will prepare you for a range of careers in land-based management and environmental protection. You will explore: Soil formation, functions and ecosystem services Role of soils in mitigating climate change Soil health and causes of degradation Management strategies to promote and conserve soil health and sustainable soil systems Practical skills in soil analysis and surveying You will learn to interpret data and information on soil physics, biology and chemistry for the preservation and maintenance of soil health and gain a greater understanding of soil biodiversity, ecology and ecosystem services, as well as global-scale issues and threats to soil systems. The programme places a strong emphasis on varied teaching approaches for both theoretical understanding and practical skills, such as laboratory and field-based activities. Is the MSc for me If you want to explore the benefits of soils in relation to: food security climate change biodiversity human health and well-being