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Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences 116 ASI Building University Park, PA 16802-3504
Phone: +1-814-865-6541 Fax: +1-814-863-7043 David Sylvia, Department Head

Crop and Soil Sciences > Degree Programs and Courses > Soil Science Courses > Soils 571

Soils 571 - Ecosystem Nutrient Cycles

Instructor: Dr. Jason Kaye
Credits:3
Semesters Offered: Fall
Texts:
- Text: Chapin et al. 2002. Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. Springer
- Other Required Reading: 20+ Papers to be assigned during the semester from Angel.
- Optional Reading:Golley, F.B. 1993. The history of the ecosystem concept in ecology. Yale Univ. Press.
Prerequisite: Introductory course in chemistry plus ecology, agroecology, or biogeochemistry
Syllabus: Link to PDF file.

Course Description

Overall course goals: Students will develop knowledge of the biologically important nutrient cycles in terrestrial ecosystems, including linkages between nutrient cycling and energy (carbon) and water flow.

Specific course objectives: Students will complete the class with an understanding of: 1) classic and contemporary theory of biogeochemical cycles at the ecosystem scale, 2) variability in nutrient cycling rates among the major unmanaged and managed ecosystem types, 3) ecosystem responses to natural disturbance and human management, and 4) common and cutting-edge methods of ecosystem analysis.