Land Reclamation

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation05.06.2018

Responsible UnitInstutute of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering

Course developers

lect.

Sindija Frienberga

Mg. sc. ing.

lect.

Kristaps Siltumēns

Mg. vid.zin.

Prior knowledge

LauZ2040, Soils and Fertilizers

LauZ2042, Soil Science

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to provide students with knowledge of land reclamation tasks and methods for regulating soil moisture conditions, as well as the principles of drainage system construction, structures, materials, and basic calculation methods, ensuring an understanding of land preparation for agricultural use.

The course presents land reclamation objectives, methods, and techniques for soil moisture regulation and highlights their importance under intensive agricultural production conditions. It provides in-depth knowledge of the principles, materials, structures, facilities, parameters, and calculation methodologies of drainage systems. The course also examines the range of works involved in preparing land for agricultural use.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge – The student understands the tasks and methods of land reclamation in regulating soil moisture conditions, as well as the principles of drainage system construction and design and their basic calculation methods.

Skills – The student is able to apply land reclamation methods in practice, perform simplified drainage system calculations, develop basic land reclamation system design solutions, and plan land preparation works.

Competences – The student is competent to make justified decisions regarding the design and implementation of land reclamation and drainage systems in agricultural production.

Assessment of learning outcomes – The course outcomes are assessed through the defence of five practical assignments and a final examination.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Soil. Composition and classification. Types of water in soil, hydrophysical properties. Water balance and types of waterlogging. (1 h)
2. Impact of drainage on soil physical properties. Drainage system, its components and operation. (1 h)
3. Hydrology, classification and application. Methodology for calculating flow capacity for ditches and drainage collectors. (1 h)
4. Hydraulics. Hydrodynamics and hydrostatics. Determination of structure parameters. Flow velocities, water levels, and reinforcement design. (2 h)
5. Land reclamation. Classification and set of applied measures. Selection of drainage methods depending on the causes of waterlogging. (1 h)
6. Drainage techniques. Interception of surface runoff, lowering of groundwater level. Drainage schemes. (1 h)
7. Open drainage systems. Evaluation of drainage ditch performance and shortcomings. Principles and dimensions of ditch construction. (1 h)
8. Covered drainage systems (subsurface drainage). Drain spacing, depth, pipe diameters. Collectors, their operation and parameters. (2 h)
9. Auxiliary drainage structures. Drain outlets, inspection wells for drainage control, surface water diversion, and spring improvement. (1 h)
10. Environmentally friendly land reclamation systems. Measures for biodiversity enhancement and agricultural runoff treatment. (1 h)
11. Irrigation. Water deficit and irrigation demand. Irrigation regime, rate and application depth. (1 h)
12. Irrigation systems and their components. Irrigation methods, equipment, and water sources. (1 h)
13. Maintenance and preservation of land reclamation systems. System renovation and reconstruction. (1 h)
14. Management of reclaimed lands. Operational features of dual-function drainage systems. (1 h)

Topics of practical assignments
1. Reading topographic and land reclamation project plans (3 h)
2. Construction of drainage ditches (3 h)
3. Hydrological and hydraulic calculation of ditches (3 h)
4. Calculation of drain spacing (3 h)
5. Design solutions for drainage system construction (4 h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

To obtain the course credits, students must complete and defend five practical assignments and successfully pass the final examination.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. Practical assignments are developed during classroom sessions. The descriptive part of the submitted work, graphical materials, and their formatting are completed during independent study time in accordance with the assignment requirements, student work formatting guidelines, and the instructor’s instructions.

2. Students must prepare for the examination independently.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

1. Five practical assignments, each worth up to 9 points (maximum total of 45 points);
2. Final examination, with a maximum of 55 points for theoretical questions
• Conditions for the final assessment:
Student performance is assessed provided that at least 50% of the maximum possible points are obtained in each practical assignment and in the examination, and the examination is successfully passed.

Final grade in points and corresponding mark:
3 – if less than 50% of the maximum exam points are obtained;
4 – 50–54 points;
5 – 55–60 points;
6 – 61–69 points;
7 – 70–79 points;
8 – 80–89 points;
9 – 90–95 points;
10 – 96–100 points.

Compulsory reading

1. Kļaviņš U., Sudārs R. Meliorācija: mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLU, 2016. 239 lpp.

2. Strūbergs J. Meliorācijas sistēmu uzturēšana. Rokasgrāmata. Jelgava, 2005. 31 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

Agro Tops. Zinātniski praktisks žurnāls zinātniekiem, agronomiem, zemniekiem. www.agrotops.lv/. ISSN 1417-5164

Notes

The study course is intended for the professional bachelor’s study program “Agriculture”

Feedback