Interactive computer laboratory course on the quantitative methods used in applied geomorphology with special reference to the measurement, analysis and modelling of landforms and processes shaping the Earth surface, including the effects of climate change and human impacts.
Lecture notes provided by the teacher, laboratory material and notes, plus the following basic textbooks:
1. T.Henlg & H.I.Reuter. GEOMORPHOMETRY, Concepts, Software, Applications. Elsevier
2. O.Slaymaker, T.Spencer & C. Embleton-Hamann. GEOMORPHOLOGY AND GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE. Cambridge
Learning Objectives
At the end of the course the student shall be able to: analyse given landscapes from the point of view of the geomorphological processes conditioning them using state-of-the-art techniques in geomorphometry, build simple forecasting scenarios for modelling the evolution of hillslope processes, know how to select and gather the data needed for the analysis of morphogenetic processes at large scale, also using GIS and remote sensing tools.
Frequency of lessons is highly recommended, but not mandatory
Type of Assessment
Oral and written exam
Course program
Introduction the quantitative geomorphology, basics of GIS and remote sensing using open source tools, digital models of the land surface, DEM production methods and sources, basic land-surface parameters, land-surface parameters and objects in hydrology, measurement and numerical analysis of landforms and processes, modelling of basic morphogenetic processes, applications to natural risks, prediction of land-surface processes evolution due to climate change and human impacts.