Physical Geography of Portugal

Code:

GEOGR034

Acronym:

GFIPOR

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Geography

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://web.letras.up.pt/asaraujo/geofis/geofis.html
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	89	study plan	2	-	6	41	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The main goal of Portugal Physical Geography y is to transmit to the students a corpus of knowledge in the scope of physical geography in order to enrich their capacity of analysis and comprehension of the existing relational web between the various components of the Ecosystem at a global, regional and local scale.

Learning outcomes and competences

t is expected that at the end of this UC, students are able to: (1) understand the Earth as a dynamic and articulated system of biogeophysical and anthropogenic components; (2) know and distinguish basic fundamental concepts in the field of physical geography; (3) know the main variables, factors and processes that characterize the physical system and its spatial diversity at global and national scale; (4) develop a critical attitude to physical system in its temporal variability and spatial diversity.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Not applicable.

Program

1. History of climatology in Portugal
2. Taxonomic categories of theoretical-methodological approach in climatology
3. Climatic contexts in Portugal
3.1. Geographical factors of the climate in Portugal
3.2. The temperature
3.3. Precipitation
3.4. The wind
3.5. Atmospheric pressure
3.6. Climatic types and subtypes in Portugal
4. Frequent types of weather in Portugal
5. Examples of applied climatology in Portugal
6. Morphology and geomorphological dynamics.
6.1. The great geomorphological groups of Portugal.
6.2. Current geomorphological and dynamic evolution.
6.3. Geomorphological risks in Portugal.
6.4. Surface and underground water resources.
6.4.1. Surface runoff and watersheds.
6.4.2. Water availability and water resources.
6.4.3. Hydrological risks in Portugal.
7. The vegetation.
7.1. The phytogeographic regions.
7.2. The recent geographical distribution of plant formations in Portugal.
7.3. Risks associated with vegetation cover.

Mandatory literature

Brum Ferreira, A. (coord.); Geografia de Portugal. Vol. 1 – O Ambiente Físico, Círculo de Leitores, Lisboa., 2005
DAVEAU, S. ; Portugal Geográfico, João Sá da Costa, 1995
Dias, R; Araújo, A.; Terrinha, P.; Kullberg, J.; Geologia de Portugal, Volumes I e II, Escolar Editora, Lisboa, 2013
Feio, M. e Daveau, S. (org.) ; O Relevo de Portugal: Grandes Unidades Regionais, APGeom, vol.II, Coimbra, 2004
RIBEIRO, O., LAUTENSACH, H., DAVEAU, S. ; Geografia de Portugal. I. A posição geográfica e o território, Sá da Costa, 1987
Gonçalo Vieira, José Luís Zêzere, Carla Mora (eds); Landscapes and Landforms of Portugal, Springer Cham, 2020. ISBN: 2213-2090 (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-03641-0)
Zêzere, J. L.; Geohazards in Portugal: a state of the art. , Finisterra, LVIII(124), pp.7-27, 2023 (doi: 10.18055/Finis33142)

Comments from the literature

In each teaching session of the UC, we will recommend specific bibliography.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The expository classes, aims to provide students with the concepts and methodologies in the field of physical geography. They are complemented with classes devoted to the analysis and discussion of texts, images and/or documentaries. These classes are based on information previously collect by the teacher (refeferences, documentaries, images, internet sites, ...), which is organized in Moodle . On the other hand, the development of practical exercises is particularly important in this UC, as they allow some knowledge and skills to be acquired by its application to specific contexts.

 

Software

ArcGis Pro
Google Earth
ArcGis

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science > Earth science > Physical geography

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	70,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	106,00
Frequência das aulas	41,00
Trabalho de campo	15,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Evaluation distributed without final exam.
2 tests (35% + 35%) and 5 practical assignments (30%).

Calculation formula of final grade

2 tests (35% + 35%) and 5 practical assignments (30%).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

A written test (70%) and submitting the 5 practical assignments carried out throughout the semester (30%)

Classification improvement

A written test (70%) and submitting the 5 practical assignments carried out throughout the semester(30%)