AU kursuskatalog arkiv

Næringsstofomsætning og miljøstyring ( efterår 2008 - 10 ECTS )

Rammer for udbud

• Uddannelsessprog: engelsk (eller dansk)
• Niveau: Graduate course, semi-obligatory (theme block)
• Semester/kvarter: 1 st semester / 1 st and 2 nd quarter.
• Timer per uge: 2 x 3-hour lectures/exercises per week including 5 to 6 full days of exercises at the research centres/field stations of AU-DJF and AU-National Environmental Research Institute.
• Deltagerbegrænsning: 24.
• Undervisningssted: Århus
• Hovedområde: Det Jordbrugsvidenskabelige Fakultet
• Udbud ID: 11979

Formål

Nutrient losses from agro-ecosystems and the effects of such losses on natural ecosystems are a main focus for environmental management by authorities both in Denmark and abroad. The student will achieve an in-depth background in nutrient function and cycling in and between agro-ecosystems (farm and field) and natural ecosystems (terrestrial and aquatic). The student will be able to find sustainable solutions for the production and the environment.

Læringsmål

On completion of the course, students will have attained the following competences within the area of the agricultural use of nutrients and the effect of losses on natural ecosystems:

• Describe and analyse important processes in the cycling of nitrogen, phosphorus and other selected nutrients in plants, animals, soil, water and air in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems including the link to the carbon cycle
• Quantify and analyse nutrient flows from different types of agricultural production to the surrounding ecosystems sources, losses and effects on nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning
• Describe and analyse how to optimise nutrient use in different types of agricultural production and other methods for reduction of eutrophication of the environment
• Describe how to measure and model nutrient cycling in environmental management and research
• Analyse and discuss case studies where agricultural activities eutrophy natural ecosystems and suggest sustainable solutions for production and environment

Indhold

The focus will be on the biological and physical/chemical processes and transport of importance for the loss of nutrients from agro-ecosystems and their effect on the surrounding natural ecosystems. The course will take its starting point in environmental problems and their solution concerning the use of nutrients in agricultural production.

The course will include the function and cycling of nutrients:

• in plants, animals, micro-organisms, soil, water and atmosphere
• at the scale of organisms, ecosystems and landscape
• in agro-ecosystems, terrestrial and freshwater (semi-) natural ecosystems
• in and between the farm, the agricultural soil and the natural ecosystems

This will include management tools for use in agricultural and horticultural production to increase the nutrient use efficiency such as fodder and fertiliser practice, waste management and design of crop rotations as well as restoration of natural ecosystems. The course will focus on nitrogen, phosphorus and include other selected nutrients.

Faglige forudsætninger

Bachelor degree in biology, geology, agriculture or equivalent education. Courses in plant physiology and ecology at bachelor level are advisable.

Underviser

Course manager: Hanne L. Kristensen, senior scientist, AU-DJF. Experts from AU-DJF and AU-NERI will teach in the subjects of the course.

Undervisnings- og arbejdsform

Lectures, project-based work, experimental and theoretical exercises including field- and laboratory work and computer modelling.

English/Danish, depending on international participation.

Litteratur

Taiz, L. & Zeiger, E. (2006). Plant Physiology. Fourth Edition.

Selected chapters, notes and original literature.

Studieordning og bedømmelse

Kandidatuddannelsen i jordbrug, natur og miljø

• Mundtlig, bedømt efter 7-skala med intern censur

Oral examination based on the curriculum (weighting: two thirds) and the project report (weighting: one third) which will be assessed jointly in accordance with the Danish 7-grade scale. The examination lasts 30 minutes. Students may choose to be examined in either Danish or English. Internal examiner.