Soil Erosion and Soil Ecosystem (Video Course) (Timed & Monitored)

Course Outline

Soil is the root of our existence, supporting our feet, our farms, and our cities. This course is based on an excellent presentation "Soil Erosion: A Historical Perspective" given by Prof. David Montgomery, a renowned geologist at the University of Washington and the recipient of a MacArthur “genius” grant for his research examining how landscapes change over time. Dr. Montgomery will discuss the natural and cultural history of soil that sweeps from ancient civilizations to modern times, and he will explore the idea that we are—and have long been—using up Earth's soil. You will learn what causes soil erosion, how the soil and plant ecosystem work, and what we can do to grow and enrich our soil. The video lecture is provided by USDA NRCS Science and Technology.

At the end of this course, there will be a multiple-choice, open-book quiz designed to enhance your understanding of the course material.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will: