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MV0216

Soil water processes in agroecosystems

• Lectures and literature studies cover basic theories of storage and flow of energy, water and solutes in the soil–plant–atmosphere system as well as basic principles of numerical simulation models, and their application to the study of these processes

• In-class calculation exercises (compulsory) involve the calculation of storages and flows of water and solutes in the soil–plant–atmosphere system.

• Computer exercises (compulsory) involve the construction and application of process-based models using simulation modelling software such as STELLA (or a similar). The simulations are carried out for time periods varying from a few hours to one year. The models are used as quantitative tools to aid understanding of the temporal dynamics of soil water flow (e.g. capillary rise, infiltration and percolation) and solute transport (e.g. leaching of pollutants) and interactions among different parts of the system (soil, plant and atmosphere).

• An Excel exercise on uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in numerical modelling.

• A mini-workshop that combines keynote presentations by researchers with student-teacher discussions of selected scientific publications dealing with the impacts of climate change on various aspects of agricultural production and the environment.

• Mini-projects (compulsory) give students ‘hands-on’ experience in applying the theories embodied in numerical models to solve practical problems related to soil and water resources in various agroecosystems and climates. These include, for example, analyses of irrigation management strategies in saline soil for optimal crop production in a semi-arid climate, and the likely effects of climate change on risks of pesticide leaching to groundwater in soils of contrasting properties. Students work in a group to plan and run model simulations and to analyse and discuss their results in the light of relevant published studies, in both a written report and an oral presentation. The students also give critical feedback on another group’s mini-project work.


Information from the course leader

Dear course participants

I have now uploaded the final version of the course schedule

Some adjustments were needed due to the larger than expected number of students on the course. We now have an additional PC room for all but one of the STELLA exercises

Two of the exercises (on 8/9 and 22/9) now start one hour earlier (and finish one and a half hours earlier too). I hope this is OK

with best wishes

Nick Jarvis

1st September 2021

Course evaluation

The course evaluation is now closed

MV0216-10193 - Course evaluation report

Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.

Additional course evaluations for MV0216

Academic year 2023/2024

Soil water processes in agroecosystems (MV0216-10433)

2023-08-28 - 2023-10-30

Academic year 2022/2023

Soil water processes in agroecosystems (MV0216-10080)

2022-08-29 - 2022-10-31

Academic year 2020/2021

Soil water processes in agroecosystems (MV0216-10270)

2020-08-31 - 2020-11-01

Academic year 2019/2020

Soil water processes in agroecosystems (MV0216-10207)

2019-09-02 - 2019-10-31

Academic year 2018/2019

Soil water processes in agroecosystems (MV0216-10117)

2018-09-03 - 2018-11-11

Syllabus and other information

Grading criteria

The course can only be validated through completion of all three modules (i.e. at least grade 3 in all modules). Grades 3, 4 and 5 are determined by the final examination (written or oral) included in module 1 but covering all modules of the course. Modules 2 and 3 can only be passed or failed (i.e. grade 3 / U).

**Course modules**

Code

Title

Credits

0001

Theory and calculation exercises

5.0

0002

Modelling exercises

5.0

0003

Mini-projects

5.0

The learning outcomes (LO) describe what the student should be able to do to achieve grade 3 (i.e. the 'pass' grade).

On completion of the course students will be able to:

LO-1: describe the interactions between the physical processes and the factors that control flows and stores of energy, water and solutes in the soil-plant-atmosphere system (Module 1)

Assessment:

  • Active participation to in-class calculations meeting (module 1, ass. 2)
  • Completion of 3 online quizzes on application theory (module 1, ass. 3, 8 & 13)
  • 50% right answers* (15p) to the final examination

LO-2: build, apply and interpret the results of numerical models to simulate flows of energy, water and solutes in different types of soil, linked to different vegetation and climate (Module 1 & 2)

Assessment:

  • Active participation to all computer exercises (7 days, module 2, ass. 4-6, 9, 11, 14 & 16)
  • Completion of 4 online quizzes on computer exercises (module 2, ass. 7, 10, 12 & 17)
  • Active participation in Mini-workshop activities: Scientific paper reading, written report and in-class discussions (module 1, ass. 15, 19 & 20)

LO-3: apply this knowledge to analyse and solve practical problems concerning water flow and solute transport in relation to land use, soil and water management and environmental protection (Module 3)

Assessment:

  • Active participation to mini-projects activities (2.5 weeks, module 3, ass. 21-23): group work & project development, group written report and oral presentation as well as discussion / cross-evaluation of projects' work
    • Clearly present the aims, methods and results of the study.
    • Discuss the results critically including the interpretation, limitations and possible applications of the results to reality.
    • Give clear and informative answers to relevant questions regarding the work
    • Provide clear and relevant feedback to another project

To achieve grades 4 and 5, the student should be able to achieve a higher level of understanding and which will be assessed in the final examination.

Criteria. Discuss and justify conclusions from problem solving (For independent questions and examples formulated in the final exam):

  • based on stringent and clearly explained reasoning (grade 4)
  • showing a clear independent ability to apply the knowledge gained during the course (grade 5)

Assessment:

  • Fulfill criteria for grade 3
  • 67% and 84% right answers (20p and 25p) to the final examination* for grade 4 and 5 respectively

* Written (or oral) examination 30p in total: 18p will be dedicated to questions for grade 3; 6p for grade 4 and 6p for grade 5.

Litterature list

  1. List of course literature [List of course literature] (https://slunik.slu.se/kursfiler/MV0216/10270.2021/CourseLiteratureMV0216_HT2020.pdf)

Course facts

The course is offered as an independent course: Yes The course is offered as a programme course: Soil, Water and Environment - Master's Programme Tuition fee: Tuition fee only for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens: 38054 SEK Cycle: Master’s level (A1N)
Subject: Environmental Science Soil Science Soil science Environmental science
Course code: MV0216 Application code: SLU-10193 Location: Uppsala Distance course: No Language: English Responsible department: Department of Soil and Environment Pace: 100%