Fire Ecology is a subject that complements the profile of future graduates in Environmental Sciences and provides them with the knowledge they need for proper management of the natural environment, given the importance of fire in Mediterranean ecosystems. It studies the phenomenon of forest fires from an environmental perspective, analysing the change in the fire regime due to anthropic activity and climate change, as well as the response of species and communities of flora and fauna to fire. It has important applications in the field of land management, protected areas, in the preparation of restoration plans for burnt areas, etc.
It belongs to the subject of Ecology and is closely related to subjects such as Ecology, Functional Ecology of Plants and Ecological Restoration.
Course competences | |
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Code | Description |
CB02 | Apply their knowledge to their job or vocation in a professional manner and show that they have the competences to construct and justify arguments and solve problems within their subject area. |
CB03 | Be able to gather and process relevant information (usually within their subject area) to give opinions, including reflections on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues. |
CB04 | Transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions for both specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
E01 | Ability to understand and apply basic knowledge. |
E02 | Capacity for multidisciplinary consideration of an environmental problem |
E03 | Awareness of the temporal and spatial dimensions of environmental processes |
E04 | Ability to integrate experimental evidence found in field and/or laboratory studies with theoretical knowledge. |
E05 | Capacity for qualitative data interpretation |
E06 | Capacity for quantitative data interpretation |
E07 | Capacity to plan, manage and conserve natural resources |
E12 | Ability to manage Geographic Information Systems |
E13 | Ability to handle software. |
E18 | Capacity to manage the natural environment |
E20 | Capacity to plan and carry out actions to restore the natural environment |
T01 | To know a second foreign language. |
T02 | To know and apply the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). |
T03 | To use a correct oral and written communication. |
Course learning outcomes | |
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Description | |
Understand the phenomenon of forest fires, their global significance and their role in ecosystems. | |
Understand the responses of organisms, ecosystems and landscapes to fire. | |
Know the techniques and measures for fire prevention and firefighting. | |
Understand the physical and chemical processes of the combustion phenomenon. | |
Know the risk factors that determine the occurrence of fires. | |
Acquire basic criteria and techniques useful for the management of ecosystems affected by fires. | |
Additional outcomes | |
Not established. |
Laboratory practicals:
1. Simulation of a fire and its characteristics in the burn room.
2. Fuel models and simulation of fire behaviour
3. Fire severity assessment in the field
4. Mechanisms of plant persistence after fire (resprouting, germination of seeds)
Training Activity | Methodology | Related Competences (only degrees before RD 822/2021) | ECTS | Hours | As | Com | Description | |
Class Attendance (theory) [ON-SITE] | Lectures | E01 E02 E03 E07 E18 E20 T01 | 0.8 | 20 | N | N | Master classes. All the teaching material used will be available to students on the Virtual Campus platform. | |
Study and Exam Preparation [OFF-SITE] | Self-study | CB03 E01 E02 E03 E05 E06 T01 | 1 | 25 | N | N | Autonomous learning | |
Workshops or seminars [ON-SITE] | Cooperative / Collaborative Learning | CB02 CB04 E13 E20 T01 T02 T03 | 0.28 | 7 | Y | Y | Work assignments on selected topics | |
Other off-site activity [OFF-SITE] | Self-study | CB03 E01 E02 E03 E05 E06 E20 T01 T02 T03 | 0.8 | 20 | N | N | Time dedicated to do the work assignments | |
Class Attendance (practical) [ON-SITE] | Practical or hands-on activities | CB03 E01 E02 E03 E04 E05 E06 E07 E12 E13 E18 | 0.6 | 15 | Y | Y | Practicals in the burning room, field (if circumstances allow) and computer room. Attendance at practical sessions is compulsory and, due to their nature, cannot be made up. | |
Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [OFF-SITE] | Self-study | CB02 CB03 CB04 E01 E02 E03 E04 E05 E06 E12 E13 T03 | 0.9 | 22.5 | Y | Y | Writing of lab and field work reports | |
Mid-term test [ON-SITE] | Assessment tests | CB03 E01 E02 E03 E05 E06 E20 T03 | 0.04 | 1 | Y | N | Mid-semester progress test that will take into account the theoretical knowledge of part of the subject. | |
Final test [ON-SITE] | Assessment tests | CB03 E01 E02 E03 E05 E06 E20 T03 | 0.08 | 2 | Y | Y | Final test | |
Total: | 4.5 | 112.5 | ||||||
Total credits of in-class work: 1.8 | Total class time hours: 45 | |||||||
Total credits of out of class work: 2.7 | Total hours of out of class work: 67.5 |
As: Assessable training activity Com: Training activity of compulsory overcoming (It will be essential to overcome both continuous and non-continuous assessment).
Evaluation System | Continuous assessment | Non-continuous evaluation * | Description |
Mid-term tests | 30.00% | 0.00% | Mid-semester progress test which will eliminate material for the final exam, as long as a mark of 4 or higher (out of 10) is obtained. |
Final test | 30.00% | 75.00% | In the continuous assessment mode, there will be a mid-term test of the subject. In order to eliminate the material it will be necessary to obtain at least a 4 out of 10. In case of not passing the partial test, or opting for non-continuous assessment, it will be necessary to take the whole subject in the final test. The final exam will take into account the theoretical content of the subject and the activities worked on in class. |
Other methods of assessment | 15.00% | 0.00% | Evaluation of work assignments |
Practicum and practical activities reports assessment | 25.00% | 25.00% | Evaluation of lab and field work report. It is compulsory and can be presented either in spanish or english |
Total: | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Not related to the syllabus/contents | |
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Hours | hours |
Study and Exam Preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 25 |
Workshops or seminars [PRESENCIAL][Cooperative / Collaborative Learning] | 7 |
Other off-site activity [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 20 |
Class Attendance (practical) [PRESENCIAL][Practical or hands-on activities] | 15 |
Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 22.5 |
Mid-term test [PRESENCIAL][Assessment tests] | 1 |
Final test [PRESENCIAL][Assessment tests] | 2 |
Unit 1 (de 4): Introduction: Fire as an ecological disturbance | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 2 |
Unit 2 (de 4): The phenomenon of fire | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 7 |
Unit 3 (de 4): Impacts of fire on organisms and ecosystems | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 8 |
Unit 4 (de 4): Other impacts of fire, fire management, restoration of burned ecosystems | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 3 |
Global activity | |
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Activities | hours |