Ecological Processes of the Biosphere

Code:

GEOGR056

Acronym:

PECBIO

Instance: 2011/2012 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geography
Institution Responsible:	Faculty of Arts

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
GEOGR	132	Study Plan - Geo. Minor in History (2008-2011)	1	-	6	-
		Study Plan (2008/2009 - 2011/2012)	1	-	6	-
HISTO	18	Study Plan - Hist. w/ Minor in Geography	2	-	6	-
			3

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Ecological Processes of the Biosphere sets out to provide students with a body of knowledge on ecology and the biosphere that will strengthen their ability to analyse and understand the relational structure within the various components of the biosphere.
Students, already familiar with geography-related vocabulary and language, must understand some basic and essential concepts so that they will later be able to:
- know the specific entities, symbols and methods of each topic, and how to relate them;
- understand the fundamentals and theory principles;
- analyse the statistical data and literature available for each topic and the relationships between different phenomena;
- implement and use, in new situations, the concepts, principles and methods learned in class;
- summarise the information received in a fragmented way into a single, unique and coherent body of knowledge;
- assess an idea, concept, theory or method using the most appropriate criteria.

Program

1. Key concepts. Organisation and functioning of the Biosphere: spatial and functional structure; spatial and time scales; flows of matter and energy in ecosystems; biogeochemical cycles.
2. The major global patterns of distribution and abundance of plant communities: the explanatory factors.
3. The distribution of climates and the biomes
4. Organisation and evolution of plant communities
5. Impacts of human activities on ecosystems and biodiversity
6. Biodiversity and conservation.

Mandatory literature

BEGON, M., TOWNSEND, C.R. & HARPER, J.L.; Ecology: from individuals to ecosystems, Blackwell Publishing, 2006
BROWN, J.H., LOMOLINO, M.V. ; Biogeography, Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers, 1998
Conselho de Avaliação Ecossistémica do Milénio ; Ecossistemas e bem-estar humano, estrutura para uma avaliação, Senac, 2006
COX, C., HEALEY, I., MOORE, P.; Biogeography. An Ecological and Evolutionary Approach, Blackwell Publishing, 2005
HUGGETT, R.J; Fundamentals of Biogeography, Routledge, 2004
ODUM, E; Fundamentos de Ecologia, Fund. C. Gulbenkian, 1998
STRAHLER, A., STRAHLER, A.; Physical Geography, Wiley, 2002
TELLES, G.R., CABRAL, F.C., ; A árvore em Portugal, Assírio & Alvim, 1999

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theory-practical classes: expository method, critical analysis of documents. Applying the knowledge acquired through discussions and student participation.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biodiversity
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology
Social sciences > Geography

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	56,00
Pratical Works	Participação presencial	28,00		2012-07-14
Examination	Exame	2,00		2012-07-14
	Total:	-	0,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
Study	Estudo autónomo	76	2012-02-17
	Total:	76,00

Eligibility for exams

Final exam (mandatory 75% class attendance)

Calculation formula of final grade

Final exam - 100%

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to the Evaluation Rules

Classification improvement

According to the Evaluation Rules