Sebastian Dötterl: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2023 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Sebastian Dötterl |
| Name variants | Sebastian Doetterl Sebastian Dötterl |
| Field | Soil Ressources |
| Address | Professur für Bodenressourcen ETH Zürich, CHN F 31.1 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 633 60 20 |
| sdoetterl@usys.ethz.ch | |
| URL | https://soilres.ethz.ch/ |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Associate Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 701-0034-06L | Integrated Practical: Soil  | 2 credits | 3P | R. Kretzschmar, P. Benard, A. Carminati, S. Dötterl, L. Walthert | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | During three full-day field trips and two half-day field exercises, various aspects of soil morphology, soil genesis, and soil functioning are discussed using practical examples. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Gaining practical knowledge in soil science in the field. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Soil description in the field, soil formation in Zurich-Nord, forest soils, carbon and nitrogen cycles, soil-water relations, soil conservation and landuse. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Handouts are provided during the course. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Course "Pedosphere" or equivalent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 701-0518-00L | Soil Resources and Global Change  | 3 credits | 2G | S. Dötterl, K. Di Bella Meusburger | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | Introduction to the importance, problems and concepts of soil development and the use of soil resources in a changing world. The lecture deals with the topic with examples from a global, European and Swiss context. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Understanding the - conditions under which soils develop and are used at the global scale - consequences and problems of the use of soil and the resulting pressure on soil resources - impact of climate and global change on the future development of soil resources - competencies concerning process understanding, system understanding as well as data analysis & interpretation of pedogenetical data will be taught and examined | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Despite their numerous functions and their role in evaluating ecosystem services, soils and their diversity are often a sidelined element when it comes to the development of sustainable land use concepts. In many disciplines, soils are perceived as an important interface between dead and living elements of nature. All too often, however, soil processes are only included in a greatly simplified way for usage concepts or modeling of environmental and agricultural systems. This simplification does not correspond to the great global diversity of soils. They often vary greatly in terms of their resilience to, and ability to recover from, environmental stress. Also among the general public, the perception of the importance of soils as the basis of our ecosystems is diffuse at best. Measures for local soil protection and for the renaturation of near-natural ecosystems are widely supported, but as little as possible should change in the wallet and in consumer behavior. The result are translocation effects and more intensive use of soils and ecosystem resources in countries of the Global South to fulfill consumer needs of the Global North. The lecture gives an introduction to the meaning, problems and concepts of soil development and the use of soil resources in a changing world. The lecture also deals with the following current topics: What are the consequences of different conflicts (e.g. Russian attack on Ukraine) for soil health and food production in the affected region for the world market? What are the consequences of climate change for carbon storage in Swiss mountain soils? Or: How does massive deforestation and soil degradation affect nutrient cycles in tropical soils? The lecture is aimed at students in later semesters in the bachelor's program in environmental sciences, agricultural and environmental engineering as well as students in earlier semesters in the master's programs of the same name. It provides an overview of the global framework conditions under which soils develop and are used. It also sheds light on the impact of humans on different types of soil and how this changes the soil. Above all, skills for process and system understanding as well as data analysis and interpretation in soil research are taught. Indirect distrubances such as the effects of climate change (global warming, permafrost or drought stress) are treated as well as direct disturbances through land use (erosion, chemical pollution or soil destruction). Soil functions and soil formation, differences in regional and global soil development, disturbances of the water and air cycling of soils, forms of soil pollution as well as regional and global assessments of soil pollution are also discussed. The focus is thereby always on the consequences and problems of soil use and the resulting pressures and dangers for biogeochemical (nutrient) cycles, for the landscape water cycle and the restriction of soil functions through soil degradation. In addition to these focal points in the field of soil degradation and soil development, the lecture also gives insights into methods of regenerative agriculture, soil improvement and the remediation of polluted soils. Finally, the lecture illuminates the planning and legal implementation of soil protection with examples from different climate and land use zones in order to give the students an insight into the later professional practice of the future environmental and agricultural scientists. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Handouts will be available for download. Related scientific articles will be recommended after each session. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Some useful text books to know of: - Scheffer/Schachtschabel - Soil Science, Springer, Heidelberg, 2016. - Brady N.C. and Weil, R.R. The Nature and Properties of Soils. 14th ed. Prentice Hall, 2007. - Press & Siever: Allgemeine Geologie, 7th ed., Springer, Heidelberg, 2016. - Mason/Burt - Physical Geography, 5th ed., Oxford Uni. Press, Oxford, 2015. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Prerequisites: Interest in physical geography and soil development. Basic knowledge in chemistry, biology and geology. A previous participation in lecture "Pedosphere" (701-0501-00L) is highly recommended. Knowledge of the content taught in the lecture series is a strict requirement. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
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| 701-1646-00L | Carbon and Nutrient Cycling under Global Change | 5 credits | 3G | F. Hagedorn, T. Crowther, S. Dötterl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | The course covers the pools and fluxes of carbon and nutrients across various types of ecosystems and landscapes and how they are affected by changing climate and land-use. Specifically, the course explores carbon and nutrient cycling: (i) in vegetation and soils at the plot to global scale; (ii) the role of soil properties as controls; and (iii) the effects of climate change and land management. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | The participants learn to identify, analyze and propose solutions for problems and research questions associated with land management and climate change effects on carbon and nutrient cycling in various ecosystems and landscapes. A variety of experimental data will be presented from stemming from ongoing research projects of the involved lecturers. Analyses of this data encompasses a range of statistical approaches which are widely used in environmental research. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | After short thematic introductions, the participants will work in small groups on the following topics: Part 1 Pools and fluxes of carbon and nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems across Switzerland o Carbon and nutrient cycles from the plot to national scale o Impacts of land use change on biomass and soil carbon o Effects of soil warming and drought on biogeochemical cycles Part 2: Tropical land use change: Geomorphic cascades, soil degradation, soil weathering o Weathering and geochemistry as controls on carbon and nutrient cycles o Feedbacks between soil development, soil transport and soil loss for carbon cycling o Patterns and consequences of disturbance for soil landscapes in the fast changing African Tropics Part 3: Global biogeochemical cycles and climate change o Global biogeochemical cycles and impacts on climate o Carbon cycle feedbacks to climate change o Changes in global nutrient balance The participants will work on specific projects which includes the evaluation and interpretation of data as well as the preparation of a presentation either as a poster, report or a talk. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Biogeochemistry - An Analysis of Global Change https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780123858740/biogeochemistry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Apart from a background in terrestrial ecosystems, the participants must have basic knowledge in soil sciences, plant nutrition, and biogeochemical cycles. The course will build on individual learning and interactive teaching. The format of the course is that the students work in small groups of 2 or 3 members on a small project in each of the three parts of the course. Introductory information will be given on the first day of the course and at the beginning of each part. For structuring the projects, homework will be given from week to week. Each group will do a poster presentation (end of part 1), a short report (end of part 2) and an oral presentation (end of part 3) on their respective subjects. Active participation at all contact hours is compulsory for all students. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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