Fire effects on ecosystems

The main objectives are that students: (1) understand the effects that fire will exert on the different compartments of the natural environment, both independently and integrated; (2) differentiate the effects on small and large scale, as well as immediate and long-term effects

The contents of the subject appearing in the memory of the title are as follows:

Fire as an ecological factor or as an agent of destruction.
Dynamics after the fire of biological communities.
Physical, chemical, and biological effects on soils. Erosion.
Effects on basin water and air quality.

These overall contents will be developed as follows

Theory
Theme 1- Introduction.
Expositive hours: 1
Student work hours: 1
Theme 2- Effects of fire on the soil: modification of the physical, chemical and biological properties. Erosion. Consequences
Expositive hours: 3
Student work hours: 11
Interactive hours: 2
Theme 3- Effects on water quality.
Expositive hours: 1
Student work hours: 5
Interactive hours: 1
Tutorials Hours: 1,5
Theme 4- Effects on air quality: composition of emissions and effects at different scales.
Expositive hours: 1,5
Student work hours: 6
Interactive hours:1
Theme 5- Effects on living organisms.
Expositive hours: 1,5
Student work hours: 6
Interactive hours:1
Theme 6- Effects on the structure and dynamics of ecosystems.
Expositive hours: 1
Student work hours: 4
Interactive hours:1
Tutorial hours: 1,5

These contents will be developed both during theory and seminar hours, and will be applied on field practice

Practices
A field trip will be made to visit an area affected by fire where observations will be made, and data will be collected to facilitate the understanding of the theoretical concepts
Interactive hours: 4
Student work hours: 5

Preparation of course work
Interactive hours: 2
Student work hours: 10

Basic bibliography
Chandler, C. Cheney, P. Thomas, P. Trabaud, L. Williams, D. (1983). Fire in forestry. Vol I: Forest fire behavior and effects. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. pp. 450.
Coelho, C. de O.A., Shakesby, R.A., Walsh R.P.D. (2005). Effects of forest fires and post-fire land management practice on soil erosion and stream dynamics, Águeda basin, Portugal: final report (tamén “on line”)
DeBano, L.F., Neary, D.G., Folliott P.F. (1998). Fire's effects on ecosystems. New York: John Wiley & Sons, cop. pp. 333.
Neary, D.G.; Ryan, K.C.; DeBano, L. F. (2005, revised 2008). Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on soils and water. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol.4. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 250 p. (tamén “on line”).

Complementary bibliography
Brown, J.K., Smith, J. K., eds. (2000). Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen.Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 257 p. (tamén on line)
Cerdà, A., Mataix-Solera, J. (2009). Efectos de los incendios forestales sobre los suelos en España : el estado de la cuestión visto por los científicos españoles. Càtedra de Divulgació de la Ciència, Universitat de Valencia. Valencia, pp 529.
Cerdà, A., Robichaud, P.R. (2008). Fire effects on soils and restoration strategies Edición 1st ed Publicación Enfield, NH: Science Publishers, pp 589.
Flores Garnica, J. G., coord. (2009). Impacto ambiental de incendios forestales. Mundi Prensa México. pp 325.
Pausas, J.G. 2012. Incendios forestales. CSIC. Los libros de la catarata. Madrid. Pp 119.
Sandberg, D.V.; Ottmar, R.D., Peterson, J.L., Core, J. 2002. Wildland fire on ecosystems: effects of fire on air. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 5. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 79 p. (tamén “on line”)

Resources “on line”:
http://fuegored.weebly.com/: Red temática Internacional. Efectos del fuego en los ecosistemas forestales (Publicaciones)
Cardoso Castro F.M. Moreno Rodríguez J.M.; Vallejo Calzada F.R. and Xanthopoulos G. (2018). FOREST FIRES — European Commission; Sparking firesmart policies in the EU. Publications Office of the European Union. Directorate-General for Research and Innovation- Climate Action and Resource Efficiency (https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/181116_booklet-forest-fir…)
Curso de Edafología-Universidad de Granada: http://edafologia.ugr.es/index.htm
Neary, D.G.; Leonard, J. McM. (2020). Effects of Fire on Grassland Soils and Water: A Review. (on line:www.interchopen.com/books)
Tulau MJ and McInnes-Clarke S (2015). Fire and Soils. A review of the potential impacts of different fire regimes on soil erosion and sedimentation, nutrient and carbon cycling, and impacts on water quantity and quality. (https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents…)

This course will contribute to the development or improvement of the following competences that appear in the Program Memoir:

Basic competences

CB7 - That the students know how to apply the acquired knowledge and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their study area.
CB8 - To be able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgments from information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities related to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
CB9 - To know how to communicate their conclusions and the knowledge and latest reasons underpinning them to a specialized and non-specialized public in a clear and unambiguous way.
CB10 - To possess learning skills which allow them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.
CX7 - Capacity for the development of forestry policies.

Transversal competences

CT1 - Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
CT2 - Capacity for reasoning and argumentation.
CT3 - Capacity for individual work, with self-critical attitude.
CT5 - Ability to obtain adequate, diverse and up-to-date information.
CT6 - Ability to elaborate and present an organized and understandable text.
CT7 - Ability to perform an expositive in public in a clear, concise and coherent way.

In addition, and in a more specific way, the students will acquire:

CE35 - Ability to understand the effects of fire on the structure and functioning of ecosystems, on the dynamics of biological communities, soils, waters and atmosphere. This knowledge will be the basis for subsequent protection and restoration work

Class activities will be structured in expositive lectures, interactive classes (seminars, practical and tutorials). As support to these activities, students will be provided with printed material, or it will be available on the Virtual Classroom.

Expositive classes:
The teacher will present the theoretical concepts facilitating the study and understanding of the subject. Appropriate audiovisual means will be used as a complement to support the teaching/learning activities. Critical participation of students will be promoted.

Interactive classes:
Interactive classes will be a complement to the content presented in the lectures. Appropriate audiovisual means will be used as a complement to the activities

Seminars
Students must do some work related to the contents of the course. The preparation, exposition and discussion of works will be done during seminar hours. In this activity, the handling of information in a foreign language will be valued.

Tutorials
Tutorials in very small groups will be used to keep track of the knowledge acquired by the student and, if necessary, to resolve issues that are formulated.

Field trip
There will be a field trip to visit an area affected by fires. The observations and the data collected will facilitate the understanding of the theoretical concepts. This activity is mandatory. Students will make a report with the data collected in the trip.

Learning assessment will consider the theoretical, practical part, and the realization of the course work, as well as the attendance and involvement in the different activities planned. The percentage of each part on the final grade will be as follows:

1) Theoretical test (60%). With this test the following skills are assessed: CB8, CB10, CG7, CT2, CT5, CE35.
2) Preparation and presentation of the coursework and completion of practices travel report (35 %). These tests will be used to evaluate the following competences: CB7, CB8, CB9, CB10, CG7, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT5, CT6, CT7, CE35.
3) Attendance and participation in all activities (5%). In this section the competences CB8, CG7, CT2 and CE35, will be evaluated

Students who repeat the course will keep the qualification of the work and practices during a course. The students that are exempt from attendance will be evaluated based on the theoretical exam, the course work and the practices realized. In case they do not attend the practice, they will have to do a complementary work.

For cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the “Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico dos estudantes e de revisión das cualificacións” (artículo 16 de la Resolución de 15/6/2011 de la USC, DOG de 21/7/2011)" will apply

Reading and preparation of topics and evaluation tests: 33 h
Preparation of coursework and practices report: 15 h
TOTAL: 48 h

Studying constantly and progressively the subject contents. Realization of the practices. Resolution of the theoretical-practical issues that are proposed. Resolution of the doubts and follow-up of the matter in the tutoring regime. Also, reading of the recommended bibliography

The Virtual Campus will be an important tool for the development of the subject. The materials needed for the course can be downloaded from there, and detailed information on the development of the subject will be available in your calendar