Landscape sensitivity in time and space — an introduction

Thomas, Michael F.

doi:10.1016/s0341-8162(00)00133-8

Cited by 190 publications

(147 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…These may result in reductions in recovery time for habitats and species between extreme events, changes in the distributions of landforms in response to altered patterns and rates of both erosion and deposition, and longer landform readjustment times to extreme events due to reactivation by subsequent events. Geomorphological processes and soils may become vulnerable to irreversible changes or changes in process regimes, so that an understanding of geomorphological sensitivity and the capacity of the system to absorb externally imposed stresses is a key consideration (Thomas, 2001;Werritty and Leys, 2001;Harvey, 2001;Burt et al, 2002;Church, 2002). In extreme cases, the frequency and speed of disruption may mean that habitat recovery may never be fully established, leading to a change in state.…”

Section: Geodiversity and Climate Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Engaging with geodiversity—why it matters

Gordon

Barron

Hansom

et al. 2012

Proceedings of the Geologists' Association

127

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The Conference, 'Engaging with Geodiversity -Why it Matters', December 2010, addressed the wider relevance of geodiversity in Scotland. A key challenge is to integrate geodiversity within existing policy relating to the way we work and live, and therefore to inform better the decisions we make about a sustainable future for our environment. This will require partnership working among the geoscience, geoconservation and voluntary sectors at both national and local levels, not only to demonstrate convincingly the economic, social, cultural and environmental values and benefits of geodiversity, but also to deliver real outcomes for both people and nature. The key drivers that provide particular opportunities, as well as challenges, for the integration of geodiversity are the development of an ecosystem approach and how society responds to climate change. Addressing these will be crucial from a geoconservation perspective to develop a wider understanding of the essential environmental role played by geodiversity and for the protection of key sites, both from a policy perspective in delivering economic, social and environmental benefits, and from an academic perspective in ensuring support for geoscience. The key message -that geodiversity matters -must be communicated strongly to the highest levels of government, among key interest groups and at a local community level.

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Section: Geodiversity and Climate Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Engaging with geodiversity—why it matters

Gordon

Barron

Hansom

et al. 2012

Proceedings of the Geologists' Association

127

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“…This area, as with all the Dolomites, represents landscape mosaics, which express the summation of landscape histories and processes (Thomas 2001), offering an almost complete educational open-air laboratory due to the variety and complexity of phenomena and processes taking place during present climate conditions and during recent geological periods. These mountains, due to the aggregation of relict, recent and active landforms constitute an outstanding geoheritage, suitable for educational and tourist purposes.…”

Section: The Sassolungo Group Gardena Valley Dolomites (Italy)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of mountain geomorphosites for environmental education: examples from the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps

Reynard¹,

Coratza²

2016

AGS

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Because of their specific physical characteristics (altitude, slope, orientation, climate), mountain environments have an important natural diversity. In particular, their geodiversity is generally much larger than in the lowlands, and because mountain geosites are often very aesthetic, mountain areas present a great potential for geoheritage, geoconservation and geotourism studies. This paper reviews six reasons why this potential is high and concludes that mountain areas are particularly interesting to develop educational programs on three current environmental issues: climate change; natural hazards; and human impacts on particularly sensitive geomorphological environments. Then, the paper reviews the principal research in the field of geoheritage currently carried out on these three topics and presents two case studies in the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps.

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“…Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that they are a very important part of a geomorphological team comprising specialists focused on various aspects of landform and deposits to reach a global view of the relief, and a holistic interpretation. Thomas (2001) indirectly referred to this organization as a system of "Russian dolls", and Tricart (1978) noted that progression in geomorphology is only possible by using frequent zoom effects. This means that the geomorphologist needs to perform, for example, detailed analyses of deposits, or explain the complex relationships between plants and erosion, to achieve the objective of understanding the relief in temporal and spatial contexts.…”

Section: What Is Geomorphology?mentioning

confidence: 99%