Management of Natural Resources

Code:

BIOL3027

Acronym:

BIOL3027

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	38	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

- To understand the importance of managing and preserving natural resources under a sustainability framework.

- To recognize the main natural resources, the main methods for their management and preservation, with an emphasis for those most important for Portugal.

- To identify and apply the relevant directives on the sustainable use of natural resources in Europe.

Learning outcomes and competences

- Knowledge of the main natural resources, especially those more relevant for Portugal.

- Knowledge of the main paradigms and methods used for management of natural resources.

- To apply the concept of sustainable use of natural resources in selected situations.

- To apply the relevant directives on the sustainable use of natural resources in Europe.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Introduction to Natural Resources Management. The evolution of natural resource management.

Geological Resources: Geological resources and geodiversity in the context on natural resources. Geoconservation, legislation. Geological resources and spatial planning and management.

Water Management. Management and conservation of underground water: the regional water balance, the main consumers, indicators of rational use, threats to sustainable use.

Soil Management. The concepts of soil and Pedology. Soil profile and properties. The value of soils for mankind. Threats to soil sustainability.

Sustainable management and conservation of biological resources. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Marine resources, their management and conservation. Coastal resource management. Fisheries and stock management. Aquaculture. Genetic resources: general principles and legislation for management and conservation.

Management of agricultural and forest resources and of humanized landscapes. Landscape ecology and its applications in natural resource management. Ecosystem services; methods for assessment and mapping. Management and conservation of ecosystem services in protected areas and in agricultural and forestry landscapes. Management of ecosystem services from a territorial perspective.

Mandatory literature

Turner Monica Goigel; Landscape ecology in theory and practice. ISBN: 978-0-387-95123-2
Ffolloitt, P., Bojorquez-Tapia, L. & Hernandez- Narvaez; Natural Resources Management Practices: a primer., Iowa State University Press, 2001
Varennes Amarilis de; Produtividade dos solos e ambiente. ISBN: 972-592-156-9
Foth Henry D.; Fundamentals of soil science. ISBN: 0-471-88352-2
Murray Gray; Geodiversity. ISBN: 0-470-84896-0
Henrique Miguel Pereira; Ecossistemas e bem-estar humano. ISBN: 978-972-592-274-3

Complementary Bibliography

Pearce David W. David William; Economics of natural resources and the environment. ISBN: 978-0-7450-0225-5
Turner Monica Goigel; Landscape ecology in theory and practice. ISBN: 978-0-387-95123-2
European Commission; The Common Fisheries Policy - a User's Guide, 2009. ISBN: 978-92-79-09874-1
Presidência do Conselho de Ministros; Resolução do Conselho de Ministros n.º 82/2009 - Estratégia Nacional para a Gestão Integrada da Zona Costeira, 2009

Teaching methods and learning activities

- Theoretical classes with discussion of topics, supported by projected power-point presentations.

- Practical classes with research and group projects by the students.

- Field class - visit to a site where geoconservation strategies were implemented, emphasizing the significance of preserving the geological heritage by observing different aspects of geodiversity.

keywords

Natural sciences > Agrarian Sciences > Soil science > Soil management
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Global change > Biochemical and hydrological cycles
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Earth science > Physical geography
Natural sciences > Agrarian Sciences > Forest sciences > Forest ecosystems
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biodiversity > Exploração sustentável
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Environmental risks
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Water science > Integrated management of water
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Natural resources management > Environmental protection

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	36,00
Estudo autónomo	70,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

- Attendance of 75% of practical classes.

- Participation in the group projects.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final exam (75%) + Group projects (25%)

Classification improvement

Through repetition of the final exam.
The group projects can not be repeated.

Observations

Coordenador: Isabel Sousa Pinto (Departamento de Biologia).
Juri: Isabel Sousa Pinto, Helena Couto e Jorge Espinha Marques