Registration does not begin until 02.10.2026 at 08:00. It ends on 12.10.2026 at 23:59.

If your registration for this course is successful you will registered automatically for the course Site Characteristics and Biogeochemical Processes (Seminar) - S (David Walmsley).

The registration is restricted to the following fields or courses of study:

• Masterprogramm Sustainability: Sustainability Science: Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Society / alle Semester

An advanced knowledge of site characteristics and biogeochemical processes is an important prerequisite to meeting the many challenges that can occur when trying to restore or protect natural systems. This course aims to deepen an understanding of (terrestrial) ecosystem processes from a biogeochemical point of view. Due to the central role of soil in biogeochemical cycles, and thus ecosystem restoration, the course will, in particular, highlight (interactive) processes between soils, plants and other components of terrestrial ecosystems. Lab and field exercises will complement lectures and seminars and will impart knowledge on current methods aiming at an analysis of soil ecological processes including an introduction to experimental approaches addressing an assessment of human impacts on processes and biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial ecosystems.

Students will have acquired knowledge of the principle components of biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, specifically energy, carbon, water and nutrient cycling.
Students will gain an understanding of the basic state factors (i.e. climate, parent material, topography, potential biota) that are the principle components determining the site characteristics of terrestrial ecosystems and how they interact over time.
Students will have learnt how to assess impacts of specific human activities on ecosystem processes and biogeochemical cycles, especially how these impact soil processes.
The students will have learnt how to characterise a field site in terms of abiotic conditions, with a special focus on soil properties and properties directly related to the soil (e.g. hydrological processes).
In lab and field exercises students will have learnt how to characterise and measure soil properties including organic matter, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous content, pH, cation exchange capacity, soil colour and texture.
Based on examples from case studies the students will learn how assess and optimise restoration/conservation efforts with regard to site characteristics and site history.

Further information on teaching evaluation: https://www.leuphana.de/en/teaching/quality-management/evaluation/course-evaluation.html