Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas

Mediterranean Ecosystem Degradation

Code

722041080

Academic unit

Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas

Department

Geografia e Planeamento Regional

Credits

10

Teacher in charge

Pedro Cortesão Casimiro

Weekly hours

3 letivas + 1 tutorial

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

a) Recognize the specificity of Mediterranean ecosystems
b) Understand the different factors contributing to their identity
c) Apprehend the natural and socioeconomic contexts contributing to the differentiation within the Mediterranean Region
d) Evaluate the factors contributing to the degradation of this ecosystem
e) Analyse the weaknesses and potentialities of the Mediterranean Portugal
f) Develop and apply acquired knowledge to diagnose and mitigate degradation processes
g) Interpret critically and analytically texts and data

Prerequisites

Not Applicable

Subject matter

1) Geographical context of the Mediterranean
2) Spatial differentiations, characterization
3) Degradation processes of Mediterranean ecosystems, causes and consequences
4) Weaknesses and potentialities of these ecosystems
5) Use of natural resources
6) Desertification
7) Future perspectives

Bibliography

Allen, Harriet D.
Mediterranean Ecogeography – Ecogeography Series,
Harlow, Pearson, 2001, 263 p.

Conacher, A.; Sala, M. (Eds.)
Land Degradtion in Mediterranean Environemnts of the World – Nature and
Extent, Causes and Solutions, Londres, Willey, 1998, 491 p.

Brandt, C.J; Thornes, J.B. (Eds.)
Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use,
Londres, Wiley, 1996, 554 p. Grenon,

M.; Batisse, M. (Eds.)
Futures for the Mediterranean Bassin – The Blue Plan,
Nova Iorque, Oxford University Press, 1989, 279 p.

Grove, A.T.; Rackham, O.
The Nature of Mediterraean Europe – An Ecological History,
New York, Yale University Press, 2003, 384 p.

Rundel, P.W.; Montenegro G.; Jaksic, F.M. (Eds.)
Landscape Disturbance and Biodiversity in Mediterranean Type Ecosystems,
Nova Iorque, Springer, 1998, 447 p.

Teaching method

The teaching methodologies are coherent with the objectives and outcomes of the discipline, as the expositive and participative classes (discussion and critical analysis), used throughout the unit, allow attaining specifically and sequentially its objectives.

Evaluation method

The evaluation instrument used allows evaluating the if the student has acquired adequately the required knowledge to complete the proposed objectives, appraising field work and the critical analysis of sources, as well as the discussion and sharing of results in class.

A four day filed trip is organized, towards the last third of the semester, to the South of Portugal, where all the aspects of the unity are approached, debated and analysed.l

Courses