Class Integrated Management of River Basins and Coastal Zones

The curricular unit Integrated Management of River Basins and Coastal Zones is part of the Environmental Engineering program as a fundamental component for understanding and sustainably managing continental and coastal water systems, recognizing the strong interconnections between river basins, transitional zones, and the marine environment. The course addresses the main challenges related to anthropogenic pressures, climate change, risk management, and the reconciliation of water and land uses, promoting an integrated and systemic perspective consistent with the principles of environmental engineering. In this context, students develop a critical understanding of planning, management, and governance instruments applicable at different scales, reinforcing essential competencies for professional practice and informed decision-making in complex, multidisciplinary contexts.

Not applicable

Theoretical: Water and civilization. Principles, concepts and objectives of water management. Analysis of availability, uses and other pressures. Water resources planning system and articulation with land use planning. Measurement programs. Cross-border issues. Management of land use and water resources in upstream sub-basins. Reservoir management and protection plans. Management of ecological flows and sediment transport Management of water quality. Management and protection of water collection, storage and distribution systems. Interaction with coastal zones. Mathematical modeling as a management support tool. Basic concepts of systems analysis and modeling Integrated watershed modeling. Interaction between water, soil and land use. Biogeochemical cycles in soil and water. Practice: Integrated modeling of hydrographic basins. Interaction between water, soil and land use. Coastal modeling. Coastal dynamics. Simulation of coastal flooding.

Theoretical concepts are presented in class alongside illustrative exercises. Students are also required to complete assignments. Assessment is based on a weighted average of assignments (40%) and two midterm exams (30% + 30%) or a final exam (60%). The minimum grade for each component (T and P) is 8. The final weighted grade must be higher than 9.5 points. Students have the option of taking an exam covering all the material taught in the theoretical and theoretical-practical classes if they do not meet the above requirements in the continuous assessment or if they so choose. In each test or exam, students may be called for an oral test, in any circumstance and without restrictions, to confirm their grade before the professor.  

Beatley, T., Brower, D. J., & Schwab, A. K. (2002). An introduction to coastal zone management (2nd ed.). Island Press. 352 p. Daniel P. Loucks and Eelco van Beek with contributions from Jery R. Stedinger, Jozef P.M. Dijkman, Monique T. Villars. (2005). Water Resources Systems Planning and Management - An Introduction to Methods, Models and Applications: UNESCO, http://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/2804. Davis, R. A., Jr., & Fitzgerald, D. M. (2020). Beaches and coasts (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. 536p. Komar, P. D. (1998). Beach processes and sedimentation (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall. Masselink, G., Hughes, M., & Knight, J. (2011). Introduction to coastal processes and geomorphology (2nd ed.). Routledge. Diversas páginas de internet institucionais (Carta Geotécnica de Lisboa, Lisboa Interactiva, GeoPortal, Catálogo ICNF, etc).