Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Environmental Sciences Master Information
Minors
Minor in Soil-Plant Relations and Land Use
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
102-1681-00LElement Balancing and Soil Functions in Managed EcosystemsW3 credits2GA. Keller
AbstractApplying element balances of agricultural soils and the assessment of soil functions for real applications in computer exercises to design preventive strategies against soil pollution and to support sustainable management of regional agroecosystems also in the context of spatial planning procedures.
Learning objectiveThe students learn to critical assess changes in land use management on element cycles in agro-ecosystems and to assess soil services (soil functions). You design solutions for chemical problems in soil protection at the regional scale and learn to assess soil functions using different methods.
ContentThe students apply a regional balance model for Swiss regions in computer exercises and assess major soil functions of agricultural soils. You assess the sustainability of current land use and analyse management options improving nutrient and metal cycling in agro-ecosystems. The students will have the opportunity to calculate specific scenarios regarding land use management and environmental changes. Special focus we be paid on the soil services such as regulation-, production function and soil as habitat, and the assessment of these functions based on soil mapping data.
Lecture notesLiterature and Exercises for a case study
LiteratureLiterature will be provided.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course consists of lectures and computer exercises. The course take place every 2 weeks à 4 hours.
recommended prerequisites for attending this course:
- Bodenschutz und Landnutzung
- Biochemistry of Trace Elements
- Angewandte Bodenökologie
103-0317-00LIntroduction to Spatial Development and Transformation
Only for master students, otherwise a special permisson by the lecturer is required.
W3 credits2GM. Nollert, D. Kaufmann
AbstractThe course deals with important theoretical, material and methodical foundations for action and decision-making of spatial relevance. This course discusses central tasks and possible solutions for current and future challenges of spatial development in Switzerland and Europe.
Learning objectiveSpatial development deals with the development, formation and arrangement of our environment. In order to be able to mediate between the different demands, interests and projects of multiple actors, a forward-looking, action-oriented and robust planning is necessary. It is committed - in the sense of a sustainable spatial development - to the economical handling of resources, in particular of the non-replicable resource soil.
The lecture introduces necessary basic knowledge and is based on the following main topics:
– Inward development and challenges of spatial transformation
– The (political) steering of spatial development
– Interplay of formal and informal processes and processes across different scales of spatial development
– Methods of action-oriented planning in situations of insecurity
– Integrated space and infrastructure development
– Different types of participation in spatial development
By taking up the lecture, the students are able to recognize cross-scale, complex tasks of spatial development and transformation and to use their theoretical, methodical and professional knowledge to clarify them.
ContentTasks of spatial planning and spatial development
– Theories and instruments to plan and steer spatial development
– Local and supra-local tasks
– Formal and informal tools and procedures
– Regularities of spatial changes, influencing factors and indicators
– Conflicts, problems and opportunities of spatial relevance
– Participation of different actors in spatial development
Methodology of action-oriented planning:
– Spatial planning as sequences of actions and decisions
– The influence of knowledge and language in planning
– Spatial assessment and reasoning
– Process and process management
Focus tasks:
– Inward development and transformation
– Integrated spatial and infrastructure development
– Transboundary issues of spatial development
– Transboundary issues of spatial development
Lecture notesFurther information and the documents for the lecture can be found on the homepage of IRL/STL
751-3405-00LChemical Nature of Nutrients and their Availability to Plants: The Case of Phosphorus Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 18.
Priority will be given to students in Agricultural Sciences
W4 credits4GE. Frossard, T. I. McLaren, L. P. Schönholzer
AbstractThe course discusses the mechanistic relationships between nutrient speciation in fertilizer and nutrient uptake by plants using phosphorus as an example. The course involves theoretical aspects of nutrient cycling, laboratory work, data analysis and presentation, and the use of advanced methods in plant nutrition studies.
Learning objectiveAt the end of this course, participants will obtain a mechanistic understanding of why and how the speciation of phosphorus in fertilizer can affect its release to the soil solution and subsequent uptake by plants. Students will be able to use this information for the development of fertilization schemes that maximize the nutrient uptake and fertilizer efficiency of crops or pastures. During the course, participants will become familiar with the use of radioisotopes and nuclear magnetic resonance as approaches to measure nutrient availability and forms, respectively and they will know the limits of these techniques. Students will also have the opportunity to improve their laboratory and communication skills.
Lecture notesDocuments will be distributed during the lecture.
LiteratureDocuments will be distributed during the lecture.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe lecture will take place at the ETH experimental station in Eschikon Lindau. See the location of the station at: http://www.plantnutrition.ethz.ch/the-group/how-to-find-us.html
We strongly advise students who are planning to be absent for more than one week during the semester NOT to visit this course.
Students must have visited the plant nutrition lectures in the 3rd and 6th semesters and the lecture pedosphere in the 3rd semester of the agricultural study program of the ETH (or bring an equivalent knowledge). This knowledge is indispensable for this 7th semester.
751-5101-00LBiogeochemistry and Sustainable Management Information W2 credits2GN. Buchmann, W. Eugster, V. Klaus
AbstractThis course focuses on the interactions between ecology, biogeochemistry and management of agro- and forest ecosystems, thus, coupled human-environmental systems. Students learn how human impacts on ecosystems via management or global change are mainly driven by effects on biogeochemical cycles and thus ecosystem functioning, but also about feedback mechanisms of terrestrial ecosystems.
Learning objectiveStudents will analyse and understand the complex and interacting processes of ecology, biogeochemistry and management of agroecosystems, be able to analyze large meteorological and flux data sets, and evaluate the impacts of weather events and management practices, based on real-life data. Moreover, students will be able to coordinate and work successfully in small (interdisciplinary) teams.
ContentAgroecosystems play a major role in all landscapes, either for production purposes, ecological areas or for recreation. The human impact of any management on the environment is mainly driven by effects on biogeochemical cycles. Effects of global change impacts will also act via biogeochemistry at the soil-biosphere-atmosphere-interface. Thus, ecosystem functioning, i.e., the interactions between ecology, biogeochemistry and management of terrestrial systems, is the science topic for this course.

Students will gain profound knowledge about biogeochemical cycles and greenhouse gas fluxes in managed grassland and/or cropland ecosystems. Responses of agroecosystems to the environment, i.e., to climate and weather events, but also to management will be studied. Different meteorological and greenhouse gas flux data will be analysed (using R) and assessed in terms of production, greenhouse gas budgets and carbon sequestration. Thus, students will learn about the complex interactions of a coupled human-environmental system.

Students will work with real-life data from the long-term measurement network Swiss FluxNet. Data from the intensively managed grassland site Chamau will be used to investigate the biosphere-atmosphere exchange of CO2, H2O, N2O and CH4. Functional relationships will be identified, greenhouse gas budgets will be calculated for different time periods and in relation to management over the course of a year.
Lecture notesHandouts will be available on the webpage of the course.
LiteratureWill be discussed in class.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Attendance of introductory courses in plant ecophysiology, ecology, and grassland or forest sciences. Knowledge of data analyses in R and statistics. Course will be taught in English.
751-5201-00LTropical Cropping Systems, Soils and Livelihoods (With Excursion)
Does not take place this semester.
W5 credits5GJ. Six
AbstractThis course guides students in analyzing and comprehending tropical agroecosystems and food systems. 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 Kenya, which is co-organized with University of Eldoret (Kenya) and KU Leuven (Belgium).
Learning objective(1) Overview of the major land use systems in the East African Rift valley.
(2) Transdisciplinary analysis of agricultural production systems in Western Kenya.
(3) Hands-on training on the use of field methods, diagnostic tools and survey methods.
(4) Collaboration in international student teams (MSc students from Switzerland, Belgium and Kenya)
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course does not take place this semester.

If you have questions regarding this class, please contact: kenza.benabderrazik@usys.ethz.ch
701-1695-00LSoil Science Seminar
Does not take place this semester.
Z0 credits1SR. Kretzschmar, E. Frossard, M. Hartmann
AbstractInvited external speakers present their research on current issues in the field of soil science and discuss their results with the participants.
Learning objectiveMaster and PhD students are introduced to current areas of research in soil sciences and get first-hand experience in scientific discussion.
Prerequisites / NoticeNot offered in the Fall semester 2020.
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