FBL 303: Forest Soils Management

Subject Ante and Title: FBL 303 Forest Soils Management

Subject status:                       Elective

Credits rating:                       7.5

Time distribution:

Lectures:                     30 hours

Seminars/Tutorials:      10 hours

Practical:                     15 hours

Assignments:               10 hours

Independent study:     10 hours

Prerequisite: None

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to

  1. Explain different concepts and key terminologies used in management of forest soils
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of principles of managing forest soils in order to have sustainable forest resources.
  3. Apply the acquired knowledge and skills to assess soils nutrients in the field.

Contents: Soil/tree root interface. The interaction of the forest floor and soil organisms. Mineral soil properties in relation to forest productivity. Concept of forest nutrition in forest management. Soil fertility management in forest stands. Methods of forest nutrition assessment. Nutrient inventories in forest ecosystems. Major nutrient cycles. Response of forest trees and forest stands to inorganic fertilizers. Fate of inorganic fertilizers in forest soils. Organic fertilizers in low-input forest management. Biological nitrogen fixation in forest stands. The role of mycorrhiza in forest nutrition. Effect of different forest practices on soil properties. Use of soil information in intensive forest management and long term site productivity.

Required readings

  1. Binkley, D. and Fisher,
  2. Pritchett, W.L. and Fisher, R.F. (1987). Properties and Management of Forest Soils. 2nd Ed. John Wiley
  3. Brady, N.C. and Weil, R.R (2010). Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

Recommended reading

  1. Gardiner, D.T. and Miller, R.W. (2004). Soils in Our Environment. 10th Edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ
  2. White, R.E. (1997). Principles and Practice of Soil Science: The Soil as a Natural Resource. 3rd Edition. Blackwell Science Ltd., Oxford, UK.
  3. Halvin, J. L., J. D. Beaton, S.L. Tisdale, W.L. Nelson (2005). Soil Fertility and Fertilizers: An introduction to Nutrient Management. 7th Edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N. J., USA.
  4. Maliondo, S.M.S. (1994). Introduction to soil science: a compendium. SUA, Morogoro.
  5. John L. Havlin, Samuel L. Tisdale, Werner L. Nelson & James D. Beaton