The purpose of this theoretical-practical course and contest of soil science in the field is to train in the description and interpretation of soils from their study in the field to understand their formation and behavior; as well as to learn how to observe soil landscapes. This first edition has consisted of a four-day course held at the Centre de Suport Territorial Pirineus de Tremp (Lleida), organized by the Universitat de Lleida and the Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya, followed by two days of training in the field and a competition in which we have participated teams composed of undergraduate and graduate students from different Spanish universities.
In the case of the University of Granada, the team consisted of graduate students Mikel Cebadero Cayetano, Rocío del Pilar Pastor Jaúregui, Mario Paniagua López and myself (Antonio Aguilar Garrido), under the coordination of Professor Emilia Fernández Ondoño.
The results in the soil interpretation competition were not the most satisfactory for the team, having obtained third place in the general category of the competition and a mention in the team category. Nevertheless, both the course and the competition have been a intriguing and very rewarding experience. Due to the fact that we have had the opportunity to learn how to interpret and classify soils in an atmosphere of fun, competitiveness and friendliness; an area of knowledge of Soil Science in which young edaphologists are weak due to the continuous decline of studies in Edaphology / Soil Science in the different Spanish degrees and universities.
The development of future editions of this type of theoretical-practical courses and contests in soil science is highly recommended to overcome the deficiencies in this aspect of soil science of young Spanish soil scientists. A Spanish team is enthusiastically expected to participate in the next Soil Judging Contest, an international interpretation contest to be held in Glasgow (Scotland) in 2022, within the framework of the 22nd World Congress of Soil Science.
The information channels of the University of Granada (channel / UGR) and the local press of Granada (Ideal) have echoed our participation in the First Course and National Competition of Soil Interpretation in the Field.
https://www.ideal.es/miugr/gana-tercer-premio-20190712181622-nt.html
Antonio Aguilar-Garrido 