Flora, Vegetation and Fauna of Portugal

Code: PAO11378L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Environment and Ecology Sciences

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Presentation

Understanding and characterizing the flora, fauna and vegetation of Portuguese landscapes and the main environmental factors that influence their distribution and adaptation.

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.

Vida na água - Conservação e uso sustentável dos oceanos, dos mares, e dos recursos marinhos para o desenvolvimento sustentável.

Vida terrestre - Proteger, recuperar e promover o uso sustentável dos ecossistemas terrestres, gerir de forma sustentável as florestas, combater a desertificação, deter e reverter a degradação da Terra e deter a perda da biodiversidade.

Learning Goals

Understanding and characterization of the flora, fauna and vegetation of the landscape and the main environmental factors that influence their distribution and adaptation. Identification of the major floristic elements (shrubs and trees) and fauna of Portugal. Knowledge of the main bioindicators bioclimatic, biogeographical, edaphic, among others. Phytosociological knowledge of the method and the main series and classes of vegetation existing in Portugal. Understanding the biodiversity of Portuguese landscapes and their conservation and recovery.
Focus on contact with reality through field courses without neglecting the use of the online platform of the University of Évora (Moodle).

Revision of concepts in ecology. Major factors contributing to the distribution of fauna and flora. Distribution of the main families, genera and species.
Main climatophilous and edaphophilous series in Portugal. Characterization: Woods, thickets, "matos", creeping shrub formations, grass perennials (formation of tall grass and creeping), annual grasses.
Animal species: habitats; indigenous, endemic and exotic species; conservation status; invasive species.
Analysis of the dynamics of vegetation and animal communities as a basis for management and conservation of natural systems.

Teaching Methods

3 hours weekly are taught theoretical and practical that will be exposed to the concepts and theoretical foundations are complemented by practical classes will be taught in the laboratory and field trips.
System of continuous assessment, practical work done in group, individual oral presentation required to contribute 50%. Scheme of Examination: The student performs a single assessment test (100%) levied on all the subjects taught.