Geomorphology in the Anthropocene: Perspectives from the Past, Pointers for the Future?

Abstract

The term Anthropocene has been introduced to highlight the fact humans have, directly or indirectly -accidentally or intentionally -profoundly transformed the earth system. There is much debate as to whether the magnitude and extent of such change is geologically distinctive and, accordingly, warrants formal designation as a new epoch although, irrespective of this, the magnitude of change is undoubtedly significant. In order to put the Anthropocene into perspective, the chapter briefly reviews various systemic and cumulative drivers of geomorphic change before going on to explore the time-transgressive impacts of humans on virtually all environments of the earth. This is followed by a consideration of three instructive case studies of how the deleterious effects of growing numbers of people using increasingly sophisticated technologies are expressed geomorphologically across a range of environments. The problems of accelerated soil erosion, the impact of large dams and the nature and extent of artificial ground are used to highlight the important role that geomorphology plays in understanding the burgeoning footprint of humanity on earth systems. The Quaternary record offers a foundational understanding of baseline conditions of earth system processes and responses and facilitates increased confidence in evaluating the magnitude of past and future global climate change and its diverse effects. A quarter of a century on from the first IPCC report, the degree to which the strength of its statements, and the confidence with which they are made, is rooted in a better understanding of longer-term past changes should not be underestimated. The fact that geomorphology may still be a 'Cinderella' in relation to studies of environmental change is ongoing cause for concern and, if we are to illuminate the range of options available to mitigate and adapt to future change, we need systematically to incorporate a stronger geomorphological perspective into global change science; the Anthropocene represents an appropriate platform from which to inject that perspective.

The Anthropocene’s dating problem: Insights from the geosciences and the humanities

“…Indeed, geoscientists know that human forcing of the Earth System goes beyond carbon dioxide emissions (the most common Earth ill associated with the Anthropocene; e.g. Meadows, 2016; Price et al, 2011) to include the landscape changes created by extraction of resources, such as deforestation and mining that were hallmarks of colonial empires (Acemoglu et al, 2000; Klein, 2014). However, acknowledging such extractive colonial practices seems to be another a blind spot for geoscientists, arguably because most have been trained in Western countries.…”

Evolution of an Estuarine Island in the Anthropocene: Complex Dynamics of Chongming Island, Shanghai, P.R. China

“…The shifting balance of natural systems has arguably moved the earth into a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene [2]. Anthropogenic forces not only alter the physical landscape but have also become by far the most dominant geomorphological driving forces [3,4]. The forces impose considerable pressures on the global hydrological cycle, which, in turn, have manifested as numerous critical environmental issues [5,6].…”