PLSCI 4720 - Nutrient and Carbon Cycling and Management in Ecosystems

Fall. 3 credits. Student option grading.

Prerequisite: PLSCI 2600. Offered in even-numbered years only. Co-meets with PLSCI 6720.

J. Lehmann.

Building on knowledge of basic physico-chemical and microbial nutrient and carbon transformations in soil, we will examine the pathways of carbon and nutrients in ecosystems from the rhizosphere to the landscape level. An important aspect will be the understanding of environmental impacts by agriculture, forestry and agroforestry and the development of sustainable landus systems. We will explore various tracer methods for the study of carbon and nutrient cycling including stable and radio-isotopes as well as rare elements and biomarkers. You will expand you knowledge in discussion groups and through presentations and work in-depth on a project which involves both field and laboratory experimentation. The results of the project will be presented in a poster conference.

Outcome 1: Design a research project and articulate the justification for research questions.

Outcome 2: Develop mechanistic hypotheses, choose appropriate methods for a certain problem, and interpret complex data.