Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of:

- ecology and biogeography

- climatology

- hydrology

Intermediate knowledge of the use of GIS.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes:

- presentation and discussion of theoretical contents and analysis of case studies

Theoretical and practical classes:

- presentation and discussion of data collection methodologies

- preparation of field work - selection of working areas and discussion of methodologies

Laboratory classes:

- preparation and analysis of soils

- analysis and classification of samples in an herbarium

- data management in a GIS environment

Field work:

- collection of data and samples in the context of field trips.

Learning Outcomes

- Improve knowledge on the key natural resources of Portugal by exploring their diversity and regional specificities

- Identify the main processes/threats, associated to land use or to natural drivers, responsible for the degradation of natural resources

- Explore the systemic approach, a fundamental perspective when analysing the processes of degradation, protection or valorisation of natural resources

- Explore the fundamental legislation that regulates the exploitation of natural resources in Portugal, having by reference the European context

- Explore the goals and action strategies focused on environmental protection and the valorisation of natural resources at the national level

- Apply data collection and analysis methodologies focused on the assessment of the level of pressure exerted over the natural resources

- Present measures for the protection and valorisation of key natural resources.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1 Environmental policies in Portugal

1.1. The Portuguese legislation on environmental protection and its integration in the European context

1.2. From environmental protection to nature-based solutions

2. Terrestrial water resources

2.1. Availability and management of water resources in the Mediterranean context

2.2. Land use and climate change: effects on water resources

2.3. Protection of water resources: plans and legislation

3. Soil

3.1. Diversity and degradation drivers in Portugal

3.2. The effects of land use and vegetation on soil properties: study cases

3.3. Tools for the planning and management of pedological resources

4. Forests and biodiversity

4.1. Biodiversity protection in Portugal: legislation and protected areas

4.2. The forest in Portugal: from conservation to economic exploitation

4.3. Major threats and action plans.

Head Lecturer(s)

Adélia Jesus Nobre Nunes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 30.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 30.0%
Research work: 40.0%

Bibliography

Karp, L. (2017). Natural Resources as Capital. MIT Press (ISBN-10:0262534053).

Misra, H.N & Harikesh, N. Misra (2014). Managing Natural Resources: Focus on Land and Water. Prentice Hall India Learning Private Limited Publisher; 1 edition, 496p (ISBN-10: 8120349334). 

Nunes, A. & Lopes, P. (2016). Streamflow response to climate variability and land-cover changes in the river Beça watershed, northern Portugal. In Daniel Bucur (Ed.), River Basin Management. Chapter 3, pp. 61-80 InTech (ISBN 978-953-51-4731-2; DOI: 10.5772/63079).

Nunes, A., Figueiredo, A. & Almeida, A. C. (2013). Changes in composition and threats to the sustainable management of woodlands in Portugal. In L. Manzanares (Eds), Woodlands: Structure, Species Diversity and Sustainable Management, Nova Science Publisher, pp. 1-41. ( (ISBN: 978-1-62618-178-6)

Raju, N.,Gossel, J., Sudhakar, M. (Eds.) (2015). Management of Natural Resources in a Changing Environment. Springer International Publishing, 298 p.