Class Natural and Environmental Risks

   

Not applicable

Concepts relating to the theory of risk The perception of natural risk and implications in civil protection 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. Natural risks and anthropic intervention. 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. Risk assessment cartography.  

Teaching methods are based on in-class work, independent study, and bibliographic research. Classes include content presentation, discussion, and practical application. Students participate actively and complete assignments in and outside the classroom, including oral presentations and defenses. Tutorials provide individual support. As a pedagogical innovation, the course includes an Interdisciplinary Research Project (P2I), carried out in groups and involving three course units. Based on real territories, students analyze them from multiple risk perspectives, integrating knowledge and promoting a holistic view. The project is assessed by a joint jury, with individual grading per course unit.

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. 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.