The Future of Geomorphology

Abstract

This article describes a personal perception of a promising way forward for the discipline of geomorphology. Four challenges and potential solutions are identified. First, the intellectual rationale and philosophical basis of geomorphology could benefit by exploring the framework of critical realism, a framework which recognizes that human experience is as real as the existence of elementary particles. Second, greater effort should perhaps be given to defining the ‘natural kinds’ which are the objects of geomorphological study. Third, the balance between geomorphological geohistory and process geomorphology requires constant attention. And fourth, the increasingly anthropogenic nature of landscape requires that geomorphologists reinforce their commitment to environmental conservation and social justice. The net effect of these trends might well increase informed geomorphological commentary on ethical implications of global landform and landscape changes.

The trajectory of geomorphology

“…Overall, the questions associated with prospective geomorphological consequences of contemporary climate change have received far less attention than they deserve (see Goudie, 2006;Slaymaker et al, 2009). 6 Integrating the human impact One possible reason for relative ignorance of the geomorphological effects of contemporary climate change is the fact that the effects are overprinted by the pervasive impact of the human presence on Earth. As shown above, humans are, today, the dominant geomorphological agency on the planet, and human impacts extend to almost the entire terrestrial surface (Slaymaker et al, 2009).…”

Beyond confusion: Rock glaciers as cryo-conditioned landforms

“…Landforms are one main candidate for 'natural kinds' in geomorphology. However, the real existence of natural kinds remains controversial, also in the geomorphological context (Rhoads and Thorn, 1996;Inkpen, 2005;Slaymaker, 2009). Landforms are evolutionary features and it could be argued that only the processes (or the natural laws) are the 'real' components of the landscape, while the landforms are artifacts of the human mind due to the characteristic time scale of human observation.…”

Society and Geomorphology: Addressing the (Mis-)Use of Aggregate Resources

“…More recently, their findings are embedded in a larger frame of space and time scales, highlighting the critical mismatch between natural processes and their impacts, on the one hand, and societal perceptions and institutional reactions, on the other (Kondolf and Podolak 2014). Slaymaker (2009) and Church (2010), for instance, address related issues, but adopt a view embracing the entire field of geomorphology.…”