Event

The Department of Physics presents an open lecture by visiting lecturers Prof. Donald Gabriels, Ghent University, Belgium and Prof. Deyanira Lobo, Universidad Central de Venezuela on the topic, Soil Physics: Managing Soil and Water.

The lecture takes place  at 10am. 

ABSTRACT

As ‘physics’ is considered as the study of the four elements of nature, so is ‘soil physics’ devoted to the study of the physical properties and physical processes occurring in the ‘soil’ as part of the ‘earth’ or ‘land’.

Now-a-days ample attention is given to describe and to determine the texture and type of the soil and to describe and monitor the forces and agents acting on the structure of the soil. Those forces and agents affect the processes of water in the soil under different climate conditions. Examples are given one how shortage and excess of water result in conditions of drought and of runoff and erosion.

Conserving water and soil is becoming a top priority in the battle against desertification and land degradation aiming at obtaining sustainable living conditions for mankind, fauna and flora.

The UNESCO programme called COSWAND has among its objectives building up the capacity of local communities in the Andean countries ofLatin America in their struggle against land degradation and to preserve their natural resources.

Organic matter is a key issue in improving and restoring the soil structural conditions in view of sustainable crop and tree growth. Making good quality compost may help to achieve this goal.

Combating desertification and land degradation is also one of the main objectives of the UNESCO chair on Eremology, established in 2008 atGhent University, Belgium. Examples of research priorities will be given and illustrated.