Environmental Studies

TITLE OF COURSE: Research Methodology 1

OUTLINE OF COURSE/MODULE CONTENT

Geomorphological research of karst environments

Structural geomorphological research in karst. Researching interrelations of relief and geological structures. Specific research of sinkholes, analysis of their spatial distributions, density, orientation. Morphometric analysis of relief, neighbour methods, GIS.

Exogeomorphological research in karst. Conditions, processes, dynamics and evolution of karst. Emphasis on researching plateaus and paleohydrographic networks. Palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental changes in karst. Karst and other types of relief. Evaluation, protection and sustainable use of karst. Methodology: mapping, analysis and dating sediments, measuring density of denudation, cartographic and GIS analysis.

Speleology and geospeleology. Conditions, processes and dynamics of speleogenesis, speleomorphology. Palaeoclimatic archives and reconstruction of environmental dynamics. Methodology: mapping, developing profiles, hydrological and microclimatic measurements, dating, geochemical and sedimentology analyses, morphometry.

Geomorphological research of glacial environments.

Researching morphological traces of Pleistocene glaciations. Reconstruction of palaeoclimatic relations. Research methodology: field geomorphological mapping, morphometric analysis of relief, analysis of climatic elements, sampling, sediment dating and analysis.

Research of the marine environment.

Analysis of Holocene changes in sea levels, palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment. Research of changes in sea level using geomorphological, archaeological, biological, and sediment markers. Eustatic, glacio-hydro-isostatic and tectonic components. Research methodology: field work methods, mapping, sampling, creating geomorphological profiles and layouts, sediment dating, analysis of paleoclimate and palaeoenvironment through sediment analysis.

Coastal geomorphology. Researching geomorphological processes and relief forms. Research methodology: field work methods and mapping, sampling, dating, morphological analysis, GIS analysis.

Applied geoecological research

Researching physico-geographic components of the environment with emphasis on geomorphological, hydrogeographic and microclimatic properties of the field, and their interrelations and relationships important for understanding the functioning of the geoecosystem. Threats, protection and sustainable use of geoecosystems. Research methodology: field work, geomorphological and geoecological mapping, regionalisation and evaluation, computer analysis, and analysis of mapping sources using GIS technology.

Researching environmental changes based on narrative and graphic sources (cadastre and maps) from the 18th to the 21st century

Research encompasses changes in the environment, spatially focused on the karst Mediterranean and peri-Mediterranean areas, and border areas, above all within the time frame of the past 250 years. Changes to the environment primarily include processes of deforestation and reforestation, in direct causal relationship with changes in the way of life: littoralisation on the one hand, and marginalisation, deagrarisation and depopulation on the other. Research methodology: research is above all based on the available narrative (travelogues), cadastral and map sources. Spatial analysis of data using GIS technology.

LITERATURE

Bočić, N., Faivre., S., Kovačić, M., Horvatinčić, N., 2012: Cave development under the influence of Pleistocene glaciation in the Dinarides – an example from Štirovača Ice Cave (Velebit Mt., Croatia). Z. Geomorph. N.F., 56/4, 409-433.

Bočić, N., Pahernik, M., Mihevc A., 2015: Geomorphological significance of the palaeodrainage network on a karst plateau: The Una; Korana plateau, Dinaric karst, Croatia. Geomorphology 247, 55-65

Buzjak, N., 2008: Geoekološko vrednovanje speleoloških pojava Žumberačke gore. Hrvatski geografski glasnik, 70/2, 73-89.

Buzjak, N., Vuk, D., Jakovčić, M., 2015: The Issue of Landfill Location: Example of the Tarno Site (Zagreb County, Croatia). Sociologija i prostor, 53, 202 (2), 117-137.

Faivre, S., Bakran-Petricioli, T., Horvatinčić, N., 2010: Relative Sea-Level Change during the Late Holocene on the Island of Vis (Croatia) – Issa harbour archaeological site. Geodinamica Acta, 23/5-6, 209-223.

Faivre, S., Bakran-Petricioli, T., Horvatinčić, N., Sironić, A., 2013: Distinct phases of relative sea level changes in the central Adriatic during the last 1500 years – influence of climatic variations?. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 369, 163-174.

Faivre, S., Pahernik, M., 2007: Structural influences on the spatial distribution of dolines Island of Brač, Croatia. Z. Geomorph. N.F. 51, 4, str. 487-503.

Fuerst-Bjeliš, B., 2003: Reading the Venetian Cadastral Record: An Evidence for the Environment, Population and Cultural Landscape of the 18th Century Dalmatia. Hrvatski geografski glasnik 65/1. 47-62.

Fuerst-Bjeliš, B.,  Durbešić, A., 2013: Littoralization and behind: environmental change in Mediterranean Croatia. U: Pina, H. Martins, F., Ferreira, C. (Ur.) The Overarching Issues of the European Space. Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto. 136-147

Morić Španić, A.,  Fuerst-Bjeliš, B., 2017: The GIS Model for the revitalization of traditional island cultures: the Island of Hvar, Croatia. U: Pina, H., Martins, F. (Ur.): The Overarching Issues of the European Space. Society, Economy and Heritage in a Scenario Towards Greater Territorial Cohesion. Porto: FLUP, 374‐392

Tandarić, N., Ćosić, M., Buzjak, N., Bočić, N., Dubovečak, V., Lacković, I., Zastavniković, I., Tomić, D., 2018: Fizičkogeografska analiza i geoekološko vrednovanje potencijalno zaštićenog područja - primjer doline Kupčine. Hrvatski geografski glasnik, 80, 1, 27-59.

DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUCTION METHODS
Lectures and consultations. Each course teacher shall deliver 2-4 lectures, depending on the representiveness of the theme and methodology.

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE/MODULE REQUIREMENTS
Regular attendance at lectures. Giving form to the methodological framework of his/her own research. Fulfilment of obligations shall be confirmed by the course teachers by their signatures in the student’s record book (Index).

DESCRIPTION OF MONITORING OF TEACHING QUALITY
The mechanisms of institutional monitoring of teaching quality (the Regulations on Doctoral Study of the University of Zagreb, Form DR.SC. -04, DR.SC. -09).

ECTS: The ECTS system shall not be applied

TITLE OF COURSE: Research Methodology 2

OUTLINE OF COURSE/MODULE CONTENT

Data sources in hydrogeography; history of stations; comparative evaluation of the importance and manner of analysing water level and flow rate data; separate elements of watercourses and river basins (depending on the needs and previous knowledge of students).

Source data in climatology – meta-data.

Time series in hydrogeography: issue of the length of time series; homogeneity of time series, trends in hydrogeography. Analysis of types and changes in flow regimes. Statistical analysis of time series in climatology; homogeneity; trends; time interpolation; methods of smoothing curves; analysis of temporal and spatial variability of climate, application of cluster analysis in climatology research. Thematic cartography in climatology; methods of spatial interpolation.

Climate indices.

Methods of determining quantities of precipitation in river basins (catchments): isohypse methods, isohyet methods, Thiessen polygon methods, combinations of methods; determining run-off coefficients; water balances and their significance.

Flow regimes and their changes; Significance and methods of determining sustainable and ecologically acceptable flow in rivers; Ecological state of watercourses, with special emphasis on hydromorphological elements; Field monitoring of hydromorphological elements of river and lake quality.

LITERATURE

Čanjevac, I., 2013: Tipologija protočnih režima rijeka u Hrvatskoj. Hrvatski geografski glasnik  75 (1), 23-42.

Čanjevac, I., Orešić, D., 2015: Contemporary changes of mean annual and seasonal river discharges in Croatia. Hrvatski geografski glasnik 77 (1), 7-27. 

Čanjevac, I., Orešić, D., 2018: Changes in discharge regimes of rivers in Croatia. Acta Geographica Slovenica-Geografski Zbornik. 58, 2; 7-18

Filipčić, A., 2000: Razgraničenje Köppenovih klimatskih tipova Cf i Cs u Hrvatskoj. Acta Geographica Croatica 35, 7-18.

Filipčić, A., Orešić, D., Maradin, M., 2013: Promjene količine padalina u Hrvatskoj od sredine 20. stoljeća do danas. Geoadria. 18 , 1; 29-39

Grbac Žiković, R., Orešić, D., Čanjevac, I., 2009: Suvremena vodoopskrba riječkog područja. Geoadria. 14,, 2; 201-220

Maradin, M., 2013: Varijabilnost padalina na području Hrvatske s maritimnim pluviometrijskim režimom. Geoadria, 18, 1, 3-27

Maradin, M., Filipčić, A., 2012: Prostorne razlike u varijabilnosti padalina središnje Hrvatske. Hrvatski geografski glasnik, 74, 1, 41-59

Orešić, D., Bahnan, G., 2006: Vodni resursi u poljodjelstvu u sjeveroistočnoj Siriji (namjesništvo Hasaka). Hrvatski geografski glasnik. 68 , 1; 73-98

Orešić, D., Njegač, D., Filipčić, A,. 2010: Hidrografska osnova kao čimbenik razvoja naseljenosti Krapinsko-zagorske županije. Acta geographica Croatica. 37 ; 23-40

Plantak, M., Čanjevac, I., Vidaković, I., 2016: Morfološko stanje tekućica u poriječju Ilove. Hrvatski geografski glasnik 78 (1), 5-24.

Šegota, T., Filipčić, A., 2007: Suvremene promjene klime i smanjenje protoka Save u Zagrebu. Geoadria 12 (1), 47-58.

DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUCTION METHODS
Lectures and consultations. Each course teacher shall deliver 2-4 lectures, depending on the representation of the theme and methodology.

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE/MODULE REQUIREMENTS
Regular attendance at lectures. Giving form to the methodological framework of his/her own research. Fulfilment of obligations shall be confirmed by the course teachers by their signatures in the student’s record book (Index).

DESCRIPTION OF MONITORING OF TEACHING QUALITY
The mechanisms of institutional monitoring of teaching quality (the Regulations on Doctoral Study of the University of Zagreb, Form DR.SC. -04, DR.SC. -09).

ECTS: The ECTS system shall not be applied.