Habitat microclimatology

Code: GEO13355L

3 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours

Scientific Area: Geography

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

Acquisition of basic knowledge of Microclimatology and its application to natural environments (bare surfaces, areas under forest and agricultural occupation, interfaces and diverse heterogeneities, animals and man) and environments modified by human activities (e.g., urban dwellings and landscapes, greenhouses and windbreaks, fires, atmospheric pollution). It is intended that students acquire sufficient skills to intervene in the planning area.

Microclimatology: scale of atmospheric phenomena; boundary layer
Energy in the climate system: solar, terrestrial and atmospheric radiation; radiation and energy balances..
Water in the climate system: the hydrological cycle (components); hydrological balances.
Physical bases of Microclimatology: basic thermodynamic relationships; atmospheric stability.
Transport of momentum, energy and mass in the boundary layer: the active surface;
momentum flux and wind; sensible heat flux and air temperature; latent heat flux and
atmospheric humidity;
Soil temperature and humidity.
Natural environments: uncovered surfaces (bare soils and water surfaces); vegetated surfaces; non-uniform terrain; animals.
Modified environments: ground surface control; housing and urban landscapes; greenhouses and windbreaks; fires: atmospheric pollution; acid precipitation.
Micrometeorological instrumentation.
Modeling in Climatology:General concepts, control volumes, Global Circulation Models (GCMs)

Teaching Methods

Classes are a combination of theoretical and practical, with the aim of getting students to participate more actively (and therefore more critically). Students will carry out practical work (PT) on a specific topic, proposed by the lecturer or accepted by the lecturer at the suggestion of the students. This work will be carried out (preferably) in groups and throughout the semester, and it will be presented by the students at the end of the semester (still during the period) during the theoretical-practical period. This work will be supported by a reference bibliography and other teaching material made available by the lecturer or in the library.

Assessment

Student assessment comprises the evaluation of two components, one theoretical-practical (T-P) and the other essentially practical (P). Students have the option of continuous assessment (CA) or final exam assessment (FA) at the end of the semester (normal assessment period). Under the CA or FA evaluation options, the assessment of the T-H component takes place through (two) written tests. The P component results from the execution of a practical work (under the guidance of teaching staff). Under the FA period, performance in the T-P component contributes 75% of the final grade of the subject and that of the practical with 25%. Only a minimum performance of 50% in both components and of 8 marks in each test will allow final approval under the AC regime. In examinations carried out in other periods (appeal, special and extraordinary assessment exams), all syllabus content will be assessed in a single written exam, with the grade obtained corresponding to the final grade of the course.