New Perspectives in Physical Geography

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

Face-to-face theoretical classes based on conferences with the discussion of the covered subjects. The evaluation will be carried out through the writing, presentation and critical discussion of a scientific paper written by every student on one or more subjects presented by the professors.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the semester, students should be able to:

a) know the main research paradigms and trends in the different domains of Physical Geography;

b) master the diversity of sources and know the work methodologies used in Physical Geography;

c) build methodological bridges between theoretical knowledge and its possible applicability in Physical Geography

d) master the multiscale analysis of physical and natural data in land use planning and management.

e) join interdisciplinary research teams and know how to integrate data and procedures of Physical Geography within those teams.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The course will be taught in conference sessions lectured by invited experts, usually professors of Geography from the Department of Geography and Tourism, but also, whenever possible, by external guests.

The Syllabus comprises the following subjects:

- PhD dissertations in Physical Geography: historical evolution of subjects, methodologies and work fields.

- Geomorphology of the schist mountains

- Granite geomorphology

- Karstic geomorphology

- Coastal geomorphology

- Atmospheric dynamics: old myths, new perspectives

- Climate change: the perspectives of the retroaction mechanisms

- Hydrological dynamics in different uses and vegetation covers

- Extreme hydrological phenomena: recent development trends

- The particular case of Hydrological Karstic dynamics

- Environmental Analysis of the Landscape

- Physical Geography and Natural Hazards

- Physical Geography and Natural Resources

Head Lecturer(s)

Lúcio José Sobral da Cunha

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Research work: 100.0%

Bibliography

Farina, Almo (2000). Landscape Ecology in Action. Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Ford, D. e Williams, P. (2007). Karst hydrogeology and geomorphology, John Wiley & Sons, Reino Unido, 562p.

Gomes, F. Veloso, Pinto, F. Taveira, Neves, Luciana & Barbosa, J. Paes (2006). EUROSION. Pilot Site of River Douro - Cape Mondego and case studies of Estela, Aveiro, Caparica, Vale de Lobo and Azores.IHRH e FEUP.

Lourenço, L. e Nunes, A. (2014) - “O flagelo das chamas e a recorrência de eventos hidrogeomorfológicos intensos. O exemplo da bacia do rio Alva (Portugal)”. WATERLAT-GOBACIT Network Working Papers.

Rohli, R. V.; Vega, A. J. (2008). Climatology. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA, USA, 466p.

Thuiller, W., Albert, C., Araujo, M. B., Berry, P. M., Cabeza, M., Guisan, A., Zimmermann, N. E. (2008). Predicting global change impacts on plant species' distributions: Future challenges. Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics, 9(3-4), 137-152.