SOIL RECLAMATION (634422)
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. ‘Mohammed Hashem’ Stietiya
Dept. of Land, Water and Environment
Faculty of Agriculture
University of Jordan
h.stietiya@ju.edu.jo
CLASSES
Room 188 – Faculty of Agriculture
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Principles, practices and philosophy of land reclamation and vegetation of problematic lands.
Topics include types of problematic lands, methods of reclamation, land management, and
determining reclamation success. Topics in the course focus mainly on problematic lands of arid
regions with special focus on the local Jordanian environment.
COURSE OUTLINE
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Salt-Affected Soils
o Characteristics of Salt Affected Soils
o The Size of the Problem in Jordan and Worldwide
o Formation of Saline and Sodic Soils
o Effect of Salinity on Plant Growth and Composition
Reclamation of Salt-Affected Soils
o Principles and Approaches
o Irrigation and Leaching
 Leaching Requirements
 Leaching Methods
 Drainage and Salinity Control
o Management of Salt-Affected Soils
o Prospects for Reclamation in Jordan
Reclamation of Sandy Soils
o Properties of Sandy Soils
o Global and Local Distribution
o Reclamation Approaches
o Post Reclamation Management
Reclamation of Calcareous Soils
o Physical Properties
o Chemical and Fertility Properties
o Management of Calcareous Soils
o Gypsic Soils: Properties and Management
Water Management in Arid Ecosystems
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o Management of Rainfed Agriculture
o Use of Low Quality Water for Irrigation
o Use of Treated Wastewater for Land Reclamation
o Prospects for Use of Treated Wastewater in Jordan
Reclamation of Polluted Soils.
o Nature of Soil Pollution and Types of Pollutants
o Impact of Polluted Soils on the Environment
o Impact of Polluted Soils on the Food Chain
o Reclamation Methods of Polluted Soils
o Prospects for Reclamation of Polluted Soils in Jordan and the Middle East
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this course and the expected outcomes include the following:
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Think logically and critically in terms of land reclamation.
Become fluent with land reclamation terms and definitions.
Learn to view reclamation from a holistic perspective.
Understand problematic soils in arid regions with emphasis on Jordan
Understand how to apply land reclamation principles.
GRADING
2 Exams: 40 points (20 points for each exam)
Homeworks, Class work, and Quizes: 10 points
Final Exam: 50 points
EXAM SCHEDULE
First Exam
Second Exam
REFERENCES
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Balba, Monem. Management of Problem Soils in Arid Ecosystems. Lewis Publishers.
Troeh, Frederick et al. Soil and Water Conservation for Productivity and Environmental
Protection. Princeton-Hall, Inc.
FAO Bulletins on Sandy Soils, Calcareous Soils, and Salt-Affected Soils.
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