Core themes in textbook definitions of physical geography

Day, Terence

doi:10.1111/cag.12354

Cited by 13 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…These constitute the joint core that is characterized by a systems and modeling approach with a reference to human activity and different spatio-temporal scales. Day (2017) states that this rather broad understanding is problematic and that Physical Geography fundamentally (still) lacks a common and widely accepted definition of its aims and scope. However, a joint standpoint is a necessity when it comes to the question of positioning ourselves in the Anthropocene debate.…”

Section: The Difficulty To Define Physical Geographymentioning

confidence: 99%

Geography and the Anthropocene: Critical approaches needed

Knitter

Augustin

Biniyaz

et al. 2019

Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment

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“The Anthropocene” currently serves as a framework to acknowledge global human influences on the earth systems. Different prominent authors call for geographers and especially physical geographers to intensify their involvement in the discussions on the theme. A bibliometric analysis shows that geographers are already one of the leading contributors to the keyword Anthropocene in journal articles. While we generally support the standpoint of increased engagement with the topic, we want to emphasize that we need to do more than only attaching the “Anthropocene” label to our daily research practice. A critical engagement with and reflection of the research questions and contexts is needed to play a vital role as discussant in the debate. We should take advantage of the diverse themes, topics and viewpoints of our subject by actively following a more critical approach to our research practices in order to find those geographic ties that join us and our discipline and that enable us to contribute more substantially to the Anthropocene debate.

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Section: The Difficulty To Define Physical Geographymentioning

confidence: 99%

Geography and the Anthropocene: Critical approaches needed

Knitter

Augustin

Biniyaz

et al. 2019

Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment

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“…More broadly, the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) identified seven high level concepts (place, space, scale, interdependence, physical and human processes, environmental interaction and sustainable development) as large themes seen to be underpinning the study of geography, identifying what learners need in order to make progress in their understandings. Alternative expressions employed include 'conceptual bases' (Chorley et al, 1984); common 'core themes', arising from an interdisciplinary workshop sponsored by NSF on developing key questions and integrative themes for advancing the science of human-landscape systems (Wohl et al, 2014); and eight core themes in contemporary physical geography identified from 13 current textbooks (Day, 2017). Other sciences show similar awareness of the need to pronounce on essential fundamentals, although there is no agreement on how they are described.…”

Section: Concepts In Physical Geography and The Sciencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A hierarchical framework for concepts in physical geography

Gregory

Lewin

2018

Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment

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The word concept is widely used in physical geography but seldom defined. Developing from an earlier proposal of concept types in geomorphology, this paper considers a structure for categorising concepts in physical geography in the light of sciences and philosophy more generally. It reviews where our concepts derive from, and their relation to kinds, universals and categories, whilst also indicating the lack of an agreed clear distinction between them. Because an unstructured diversity of concepts has previously been proposed in physical geography by different authors, a new provisional hierarchy is constructed. This is cognisant of specific developments in a range of disciplines, including formal concept analysis, lattice theory and hierarchy theory. A ‘concept of concepts’ hierarchy of six categories is proposed in which multidisciplinary (superordinate, contextual meta-concepts) and fundamental, operational and ancillary categories provide a 6 × 5 framework. This enables attention to be focused on stimulating conceptual underpinnings that can be tested at different levels in future learning, teaching and research. This can support the formation of knowledge structures and monitoring procedures that keep in step with ways that are characterising other disciplines.

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“…Although physical geographers have traditionally focused on the natural world, anthropogenic impacts on the landscape is a major theme in contemporary physical geography [2]. Interaction between humans and the landscape is argued to go beyond traditional cause-and-effect investigations and is evolving into studies that investigate the interactions and feedbacks between people and landscapes [36].…”

Section: Anthropogenic Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most physical geography textbooks describe the scientific method as usually invoking some combination of inductive and deductive approaches [2]. However, traditional science is increasingly under attack for being out-of-touch with the world.…”

Section: Physical Geography As a Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most project leaders have, or think they have, a good understanding of what geologists or biologists do, and if they do not, then environmental scientists, geologists, biologists, and other scientists have a scope of practice that is defined by learned societies and regulatory bodies. However, that is not the case with physical geographers, who form a large and important community, but are not represented by a single organization, nor regulatory body that spells out what exactly physical geographers do [2]. Insofar as The Stern Review posited that the physical geography of the planet is being altered by human activity [3], then it is reasonable to ask the extent to which physical geographers investigate the causes, impacts, and mitigation of those changes and consequently contribute to research on environmental sustainability [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Contribution of Physical Geographers to Sustainability Research

Day

2017

Sustainability

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Abstract:A physical geographers' scope of practice is not defined by any regulatory or academic organization, so perception of the potential contribution of physical geography to sustainability research has been nebulous or informal, at best. In order to understand what physical geographers can do to enhance sustainability, this paper describes a systematic review of peer-reviewed research on sustainability published in three physical geography journals. The results show that physical geographers are active in sustainability research in terms of a spatial perspective, an understanding of human interactions with the environment, and an ability to recognize, interpret, and project environmental change and its impacts. The depth of this understanding is facilitated by a physical geographers' understanding of the natural world, process and system concepts, the ways that systems are linked and interact, and a willingness to deploy a wide range of methodologies to secure that knowledge. The expertise of physical geographers makes an important contribution to sustainability research and should be considered when multidisciplinary teams are assembled.

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Core themes in textbook definitions of physical geography

Cited by 13 publications

References 31 publications

Geography and the Anthropocene: Critical approaches needed

Geography and the Anthropocene: Critical approaches needed

A hierarchical framework for concepts in physical geography

The Contribution of Physical Geographers to Sustainability Research

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