PhD course on Human induced land degradation – problems, challenges and solutions

Scope

Human induced soil degradation is a very actual and increasing problem all over the world. Population growth, unsustainable management of natural resources as well as increasing amounts of harmful chemicals in the environment lead to severe land and soil degradation. This phenomenon has to be considered in a socio-ecological context with respect to economic, cultural and social conditions. This course will be focused on an interdisciplinary approach to learn about the different syndromes of soil degradation using Portugal as a case-study. Furthermore, we will look for solutions and sustainable management strategies.

Learning goals

After completing the workshop, students will be able to:

• Acquire theory of the different soil treats amd syndromes of soil degradation, and their effects on the people and environment.
• Apply the intercultural and interdisciplinary approach to compare syndromes in the different countries of the world, their concequences and possible prevention and remediation strategies.
• Acquire practical experience with soil degradation and its consequences, and designing solutions in Portugal.
• Distinguish between theoretical and realistic solutions.

Contents:

The course will be highly interactive. To start, students will present a soil degradation syndrome that occurs in their home country, its effects on people and environment and work out possible methods for scientific research and practical solutions. Discussion will continue in Portugal, the destination of the excursion component, on the Portuguese soil degradation related topics.
These topics will focused not only in the causes and results of soil degradation, but also in alternatives that can help to prevent and ameliorate the degradation of the land. Both problems and solutions will be directly experienced by the participants as they will be guided in each place by experts in each topic. There will be ample space for discussions with stakeholders in affected areas which hopefully will lead to interdisciplinary visions of the situations and how possible solutions could be implemented in real life.

Programme:

Students will get a first introduction to the subject in Wageningen and Bonn in the 10 May 2024. In groups of 2 persons, the participants will select a topic related to the EU Soil Legislation (2023), the FAO 2015 report on Status of the World's Soil Resources, and the WOCAT database on sustainable soil management approaches. Each group will prepare an oral presentation, in English, about chemical, physical or biological soil degradation problems in their home countries and remediation efforts. The presentations should be prepared bearing an interdisciplinary approach in mind and should include the effects of soil degradation on both environment and people health, their impact on economics and possible preventive and/or curative solutions.

The seminars and excursions will happen in Portugal, from 18 to 26 May.

Preparation info:

The PowerPoint presentations need to be sent to the responsible professor (Violette Geissen from Wageningen University or Johannes Botschek from the University of Bonn) before 18 May 2024.

The course will be held in English.

General information

Registration

Early bird registration deadline: 31 March 2024

Target group

PhD students from WUR and MSc students from Bonn.

Group size

Minimum: 15 (including the students from University of Bonn)
Maximum: 20 (including the students from University of Bonn)

Course duration

9 days, including the day of arrival and the day of departure

Credit points

2 ECTS

Language

English

Fee

Cancellation conditions

• Up to 4 (four) weeks prior to the start of the course, cancellation is free of charge.
• Up to 2 (two) weeks prior to the start of the course, a fee of 50% of the full costs will be charged.
• In case of cancellation within two weeks prior to the start of the course a full fee will be charged.
• If you do not show at all, a fee of 100% of the full costs and a fine of 100 euro will be charged.

Note: If you would like to cancel your registration, ALWAYS inform us. By NOT paying the participation fee, your registration is NOT automatically cancelled (and do note that you will be kept to the cancellation conditions).

Also note that when there are not enough participants, we can cancel the course. We will inform you if this is the case a week after the early bird deadline. Please take this into account when arranging your trip to the course (I.e. check the re-imburstment policies).