Class Natural and Environmental Risks

This UC will allow the student to gain knowledge in the area of natural hazards in particular regarding the physical process, causes, consequences.

Not applicable

1. Concepts relating to the theory of risk 2. The perception of natural risk and implications in civil protection 3. Natural hazards: identification and characterization Geophysical risks: seismic, tsunami Geomorphological risks: slope movement, landslides Meteorological hazards: strong winds and exceptional temperatures Climate hazards: Heat waves, cold waves Hydrological risks: floods and inundations Coastal risks: coastal overtopping and erosion and coastal dynamics related to the action of waves and marine currents 4. Natural risks and anthropic intervention 5. The environmental risks: identification and characterization: Environmental pollution (air, water and soil) Deforestation Desertification Forest fires: Climate, amount and type of vegetation, seasonal dynamics. Soil erosion: Vegetation cover and precipitation. 6. Risk assessment cartography 

The teaching-learning methods will be based on the work developed in the classroom, on the study and on the bibliography research / consultation by the student. During the sessions, the teacher will present and discuss the syllabus, applying the knowledge acquired to specific situations presented. Students will be involved in the discussion of the topics under analysis and in the resolution of exercises or problems proposed, as well as being asked to perform work outside the classroom. At certain times, the student will be required, individually or in a group, to present and defend his or her work. TH hours are dedicated to student support. EVALUATION: Continues, in harmony with the ULP Knowledge Assessment Regulation. It consists of two written test (25%+25%) and an interdisciplinary research work (50%) involving other UCs in the 2nd  year.

Hyndman, D., Hyndman, D. (2013) - Natural Hazards and Disasters, Cengage Learning, 576 p. ISBN:978-1-133-59081-1. Lourenço, Luciano & Vieira, António (2020). Catástrofes Naturais - uma abordagem global, IUC, 249 p. ISBN: 978-989-26-1936-1 Rebelo, F. (2003) - Riscos naturais e ação antrópica: estudos e reflexões, Universidade de Coimbra, 2ª edição, 286 p., DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/978-989-26-0467-1 Smith, K (2004) - Environmental Hazards, Assessing Risk and Reducing disaster. London, Routledge, 389 p. Hirschberg, J., Badoux, A., McArdell, B. W., Leonarduzzi, E., and Molnar, P. (2021). Evaluating methods for debris-flow prediction based on rainfall in an Alpine catchment, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 2773¿2789, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-2773-2021.