751-5201-00L  Tropical Cropping Systems, Soils and Livelihoods (with Excursion)

SemesterAutumn Semester 2017
LecturersJ. Six, A. Hofmann, B. Wilde
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
751-5201-00 GTropical Cropping Systems, Soils and Livelihoods (with Excursion)
Permission from lecturers required for all students.
The field excursion to Ethiopia will take place from November 4 - 19, 2017.
Remarks: Student who enroll for this course are strongly recommended to verify with lecturers from other courses whether their absence of two weeks may affect their performance in the respective courses.
5 hrs
Wed17:15-19:00LFW C 11 »
J. Six, A. Hofmann, B. Wilde

Catalogue data

AbstractThis course guides students in analyzing and comprehending tropical agroecosystems. Students gain practical knowledge of field methods, diagnostic tools and survey methods for tropical soils and agroecosystems. An integral part of the course is the two-week field project in southern Ethiopia, which is co-organized with Arba Minch University (Ethiopia) and KU Leuven (Belgium).
ObjectiveLectures and exercises:
(1) Introduction to international soil classification with focus on tropical soils
(2) Soil suitability (chemical, physical and biological fertility) for tropical crops
(3) Soil conservation practices and stakeholder involvement
(4) Approaches to analyzing tropical agroecosystems

Field project:
(5) Overview of the major land use systems in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley
(6) Analysis of agricultural production systems in the Gamo-Gofa region in southern Ethiopia
(7) Hands-on training on the use of field methods, diagnostic tools and survey methods
(8) Collaboration in international student teams (MSc students from Switzerland, Belgium and Ethiopia)
Prerequisites / NoticeThe number of participants is limited to 12 students due to capacity limitations for the field project in Ethiopia. Selection of participants will be based on (1) the student's motivation statement, (2) successful participation in the BSc lectures "Sustainable Agroecosystems I + II" and (3) related topic for BSc thesis/ tentative topic for MSc thesis. The motivation statement is due in the first week of the semester.

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits5 credits
ExaminersJ. Six, A. Hofmann, B. Wilde
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionRepetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

GeneralPermission from lecturers required for all students

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterFunctioning of Soil SystemsWInformation
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterAgriculture and EnvironmentWInformation
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterAgriculture and EnvironmentWInformation
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterFunctioning of Soil SystemsWInformation
Environmental Sciences MasterMinor in Soil-Plant Relations and Land UseWInformation