The University of Papua New Guinea

School of Natural and Physical Sciences

Environmental Science and Geography
Semester 2 2023

1.22353 Soils and Land Use

Project

Under US Soil Taxonomy/Classification, there are 11 Soil Orders for the world’s soils. The Soil
Orders are: Histosols; Entisols; Inceptisols; Andisols; Aridisols; Mollisols; Vertisols; Alfisols;
Spodosols; Ultisols; Oxisols. The Orders are classified depending on their sequence of
development.

Topic: Select one from the 12 major Soil Orders listed. Explain the Soil Order you have
selected in terms of its:
a. Sequence and environments of formation
b. Properties
c. Distribution (World and PNG) by maps
d. Types of its uses; eg. farming, parks, etc in the world and PNG

Research the Soil Order you have selected and write an essay of between 5-6 pages (typed). This
includes diagrams/photos, maps, and tables (does not include cover page, appendix, reference list
etc).

The project/essay is due at the end of Week 9, Friday 4.00 pm. You have 6 weeks to complete
the essay starting this week.

The project is worth 15% of the assessment for this course. A marking guide is provided to guide
with your preparation and writing.

Reference:
1. Bleeker, P. 1983: Soils of Papua New Guinea, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Research organisation, Australia. (PDF)
2. Sites on the internet: There are stacks of information on the topic on the websites.

Mr. Joseph Irai – Course Coordinator

ESG TB6 Room 60