InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Future of Food > Student Materials > Section 3: Systems Approaches to Managing our Food Systems > Module 7: Soils and a Systems Approach to Soil Quality > Module 7.1: Cropping Systems and Soil Quality
InTeGrate's Earth-focused Modules and Courses for the Undergraduate Classroom
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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These student materials complement the Future of Food Instructor Materials. If you would like your students to have access to the student materials, we suggest you either point them at the Student Version which omits the framing pages with information designed for faculty (and this box). Or you can download these pages in several formats that you can include in your course website or local Learning Managment System. Learn more about using, modifying, and sharing InTeGrate teaching materials.

Module 7.1: Cropping Systems and Soil Quality

Introduction

Plants and soil interact; soil provides water and nutrients to plants, and plant roots contribute organic matter to the soil, can promote soil structure, and support soil organisms. Above ground crop residues (non-harvested plants parts such as stems and leaves) can also protect the soil from erosion and return organic matter to the soil. But soil tillage can make soil vulnerable to erosion, alter soil physical properties and soil biological activity. In Module 7.1, you will learn what is meant by soil health for agricultural production and explore how crop types and cropping systems can impact the soil.

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »