CIVL6430

Land Surface Processes

10 Units 6000 Level Course

Not available in 2014

Previously offered in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Brings together a general understanding of environmental physics, acquisition and use of environmental data and numerical modelling of transport of particles and nutrients. Students will gain experience with several management tools for addressing environmental degradation, focussing on erosion, salinity, disposal of effluents, and mine site rehabilitation.

Objectives 1. To give students a broad understanding of the Australian environment, with particular emphasis on the atmospheric environment and soils.

2. To provide students with knowledge of the theoretical background of land surface transport processes.

3. To ensure that students obtain adequate skills in environmental monitoring (including data collection, storage, retrieval and analysis).

4. To expose students to environmental models of land surface processes and to give them hands-on experience with soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer models and erosion models.

5. To provide students with a working knowledge of model-based tools for management of major environmental issues, including salinity, disposal of effluents and mine site rehabilitation.
Content Natural Environment
Climate and weather (principles; Australian climates
Soils (physical, chemical, biological characteristics, soil formation, Australian soils)

Process Models
Environmental modelling (introduction to distributed models; heterogeneity); effective parameters; sub-grid parameterisations; model fitting; scale effects)
Modelling soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer processes (SVATs)
Soil erosion (principles, comparison of models, applications) (SOILOSS)
Soil fertility and vegetation modelling
Replacing Course(s) N/A.
Transition N/A.
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge CIVL2050 Engineering Computations and Probability; CIVL3330 Hydrology; SURV2650 Spatial Data Systems and Remote Sensing.
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Lecture
Tutorial
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments A number of numerical and modelling assignments designed to give the students an understanding of key landsurface processes, environmental monitoring techniques, experience with several environmental models, and exposure to tools for management of salinity, effluent disposal and mine site rehabilitation.
Examination: Formal Designed to test general knowledge of the physical principles of land surface processes, the theoretical basis for soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer models and erosion models, and the use of model-based tools for management of salinity, effluent disposal and mine site rehabilitation.

NOTE: Any modification to the above assessment will appear on the course outline normally issued in Week 1.
Quiz - Class Mid-semester quiz.
Contact Hours Lecture: for 3 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Tutorial: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term