Undergraduate - UnitATS3545 - Environmental hydrology

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Notes

Synopsis

Movement of water in environment, and roles played by water in environmental processes, discussing behaviour of water from condensation in lower atmosphere through to groundwater and river flow. The role of vegetation in intercepting and redirecting water at surface. The processes of infiltration, percolation, groundwater flow, stormflow and baseflow production. Instances of major hydrological change, case studies of large-scale deforestation or desertification, habitat or biodiversity decline, including human use of water and landscape. Observation and measuring techniques employed in hydrologic research are introduced in Practical Class.

Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will

1. understand the controls on global freshwater availability
2. be aware of risks to the security of global water supplies arising from human activity
3. understand hydrologic processes including precipitation, infiltration, overland flow, and groundwater flow
4. understand some of the hydrologic processes arising in a range of geographical environments, including drylands, urban areas, and tropical forests
5. develop experimental skills needed for laboratory measurements of hydrologic properties such as porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity
6. understand the place of hydrologic considerations in debates about the management of logging, bushfire, and other forms of landsurface change

Assessment

Examination (2 hours): 30%
Written (1500 words): 50%
Practical class reports: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

David Dunkerley

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Geography and environmental science (ARTS)
Geographical science
Climate change and society
Land and water management

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence in geography or permission