Dynamic Geomorphology

Code:

GEOGR041

Acronym:

GEODIN

Instance: 2010/2011 - 1S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
GEOGR	22	Study Plan (2008/2009 - 2011/2012)	3	-	6	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This course unit sets out the essential characteristics of the determining frameworks of the main types of relief and explain the processes that promote geomorphological changes. Structural, lithological, physical-chemical, geomechanical and climate factors will be addressed. Specific notions will be categorised according to the more overarching perspectives of climate zone, base level, balance, systems and geomorphological cycle;
Confront the applications of physical geography, and in particular of geomorphology, in works related to planning, environment and natural hazards;
Provide ideas on the characterisation of drainage networks, set out the methods for geomorphological representation and provide an overview of the various types of relief in Portugal.
Be familiar with the different types of relief and its geological and climate framework, and with processes of external geodynamics;
Acquire skills to recognise the different types of relief, either by direct observation or by analysis and interpretation of geomorphological maps and remote sensing methods;
Grasp the basic notions on the organisation of drainage networks and the ability to analyse and describe them briefly;
Be familiar with the geomorphological representations and with some types of relief most common in Portugal;
Develop the ability to apply knowledge acquired in different situations.

Program

1 – Dynamic geomorphology in the context of physical geography
1.1. Discussions on the evolution of geomorphology.
1.2. Dynamic geomorphology: components and concepts.

2 - Morphogenetic processes.
2.1. Weathering. Factors and mechanisms that determine the changing process of rocks.
2.1.1. Concept and processes of change.
2.1.2. The capacity to change: characteristics intrinsic to materials
2.1.3. The intensity of change: environmental conditions.
2.1.4. Derived surface formations.
2.2. Actors and transport processes.
2.2.1. Slope dynamics.
2.2.2. River dynamics.
2.2.3. Glacial and periglacial dynamics.
2.2.4. Wind dynamics.
2.2.5. Coastal dynamics

3 – Anthropic activity and geomorphological dynamics

4 – Geomorphology and regional planning
4.1. – The rural areas
4.1.1 – Agro-pastoral areas
4.1.2 – Forestry areas
4.2. – Urban spaces
4.2.1 – urbanisation and land use
4.2.2 – Soil sealing
4.2.3 – Flooding in urban areas

Mandatory literature

BIROT, Pierre ; Les processus d’érosion à la surface des continents, Masson, Paris, 1981
CHORLEY, R. et al.; Geomorphology, Methuen, London, 1984
BRYANT, E. A. ; Natural Hazards, University Press, Cambridge, 1991
COOKE, R.U; DOORRNKAMP,J.C. ; Geomorphology in environmental management. An introduction, 2ª ed, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1990
DERRUAU, M. (dir.) ; Composantes et concepts de la géographie physique, Armand Colin, Paris, 1996
DREW, D; Man-Environment processes, George Allen &Unwin, London, 1983
EASTERBROOK, Don J; Surface processes and landforms, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, 1999
GEESON, N.A. et al. ; Mediterranean Desertification: A Mosaic of Processes and Responses, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2002
GODARD, A.; RAPP, A. ; Processus et mesure de l’érosion, CNRS, Paris, 1987
GOUDIE, A. ; The changing earth: rates of geomorphological processes, Blackwell, Oxford, 1995
KLEIN, Claude ; Du dynamisme des processus à la dynamique des formes en géomorphologie, Editions Ophrys, 1993
SLAYMAKER, Olav ; Geomorphology, human activity, and global environmental change, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2000
STAHLER, A. N.; STAHLER, Alan H. ; Environmental geoscience: interaction between Natural Systems and Man, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1973
STODDART, D. R; Process and form in geomorphology, Routledge, New York, 1997

Complementary Bibliography

FAUGÈRES, L; La géo-cindynique, Géo-science du risque, Bull. Assoc. Géographes Françaises, nº3, p.179-193., Paris, 1991
FERRO, G. ; Sociedade humana e ambiente, no tempo. Temas e problemas de Geografia Histórica, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisboa, 1979
KIRKBY, M. J; Process models and theoretical geomorphology, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1994
MASAHIKO, Oya ; Applied geomorphology for mitigation of natural hazards, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 2001
NEBOIT, R. ; L’Homme et l’érosion. L’érosion des sols dans le monde, 2e édition, Faculté des Lettres et Sciences Humaines de l’Université Blaise-Pascal, Clermont- Ferrand, 1991
PARDAL, S. C; Planeamento do território. Instrumentos para a análise física, Livros Horizonte, Col. Espaço e Sociedade, nº 9, Lisboa, 1989
REBELO, F. ; Riscos naturais e acção antrópica, Imprensa da Universidade, Coimbra, 2001
RICE, R. J. ; Fundamentals of geomorphology, Longman Scientific & Technical, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1988
THOMAS, D.S.G.; ALLISON, R. J. ; Landscape sensitivity, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1993
TOBIN, G.A. et al.; Natural Hazards: Explanation and Integration, The Guilford Press, New York, 1997
VEYRET, Yvette (Coord.) ; L’érosion entre nature et societé, DIEM, SEDES, Paris, 1998
VEYRET, Y.; PECH, P.; L’homme et l’environnement, PUF, coll. “Premier Cycle”, Paris, 1993
CAMPY, M.; MACAIRE, J. ; Géologie des formations superficielles: géodynamique, faciés, utilisation, Masson, Paris, 1989

Teaching methods and learning activities

We will use diverse strategies to allow learners to grasp and meet the above aims. Lessons will be based on a variety of documents and texts (maps, photographs, ...), integrated in presentations which will later be made available to students. Practical lessons will, in turn, focus on the monitoring of works to be developed by the students