World soils and their assessment

This is a course on the soils of the world and their assessment. It will provide an introduction to the soils of the world and their diversity, their main forming factors, classification (according to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014, update 2015), and management. The course will include lectures and hands-on exercises. It will make use of the facilities of the World Soil Museum. The programme includes a field excursion in the area around Wageningen, which has a rich diversity of landscapes and soils. In the field, several topics will be addressed including: soil and landscape relations, soil formation, soil classification, field description of soils, and soil management. Furthermore, the programme includes lectures and hands-on exercises on soil functions and regional planning as well as soil management strategies for soil conservation and optimization of soil functions. Participants will be introduced to and apply the international classification system the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (2014, update 2015). Guest lecturers: Seppe Deckers and Rachel Creamer.

Who is it for?

This course aims at scientists, professionals, e.g. in natural resources management planning, and students who have an interest in (the classification of) soils of the world and their assessment for their work or study, with aspects of soil formation, description, classification and evaluation.

Former occurrences of this course

17-21 May 2021   |   11-15 May 2020 (cancelled due to COVID)   |   20-24 May 2019   |   28 May – 1 June 2018