The Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection provides teaching, and engages in research in all branches of soil sciences. The department cooperates with a number of research and education institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad. It actively contributes research that aims to solve the current problems related to soil degradation, conservation and protection.
Research activity
Research projects of the department focus mainly on soil pollution with potentially toxic elements, forest soils degradation and toxic forms of aluminium, modelling of transport processes in soil, soil structure stability, soil organic matter composition and quality, soil erosion, soil classification, digital soil mapping, application of pedometrics and geostatistics, urban soils, and soil reclamation following mining. Research results are published in prestigious international scientific journals. Furthermore, included in the significant published work of the department is the Soil Atlas of the Czech Republic (Czech and English versions).
Educational activity
The department provides lectures and courses for students of all faculties of CZU in the field of soil sciences and related subjects; classes include general soil science, soil chemistry, soil conservation and protection, soil survey and mapping, modelling in soil science, soil classification, geology, and applied cartography. Special attention is paid to the Master programme ‘Soil Evaluation and Protection’. The department also provides lectures in the English taught study programmes ‘Natural Resources and Environment’ and ‘Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering (joint degree)’. Some lectures are taught also for students of the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Prague.
Extension and consultancy
The department provides consultancy in the field of soil evaluation and protection, and presents these topics at various seminars. Members of the department have participated on the preparation of several methodologies for agricultural and forestry practice. For many years, the department carried out surveys and research of reclaimed soils on dumpsites for the Severočeské Doly mining company.
