Syllabus
Introduction, soil definition, pedosphere; importance of soil, soil functions
Soil development, soil forming factors and conditions
Soil composition, major soil minerals
Soil physical properties: texture, structure, porosity
Soil water; soil air; thermic conditions in soil
Soil organic matter
Soil colloid system; soil solution
Soil reaction; soil sorption (mechanisms, soil sorption complex)
Soil organisms and biological activity
Soil classification - principles, main world systems, Czech soil classification system
Overview of soil classification units
Soil conservation and protection: importance, background
Physical degradation processes (sealing, erosion, compaction)
Chemical degradation processes (pollution, acidification, eutrofication, nutrient loss)
Possibilities of soil amelioration
Soil conservation and protection in legislation
Annotation
General soil science, soil composition and properties. Soil classification.
Processes of soil degradation, soil conservation and protection.