One teaspoon of soil hosts up to one billion bacteria, meters of fungal hyphae, thousands of protozoa and tens of nematodes and arthropods. These organisms are constantly making war and peace to manage the nutrients, water, soil structure, disease organisms, and plant roots that make all other life on earth possible. As we strive to clean our water and air, restore wildlife habitat, sequester carbon and remediate degraded lands, we must understand the role that soil ecology plays in the success of these restoration efforts. In this course we will dive deep into the world belowground to understand how soil ecology influences the restoration process through biogeochemical cycling, microbial ecology, decomposition and plant-soil feedback. Students will learn about soil biotic and abiotic systems worldwide and they will research a restoration challenge that involves soil management to achieve the overall goals.
CLASS SCHEDULE: Monday nights, 6pm-10pm