TY - JOUR

T1 - Geomorphology in the system of Earth sciences

AU - Lopatin, D. V.

AU - Zhirov, A. I.

PY - 2017/10/1

Y1 - 2017/10/1

N2 - We examine the question of determining the place of geomorphology in the system of Earth sciences. The study revealed that, in spite of the differences in understanding the subject matter of science, there are at least seven integrating and generally accepted techniques of geomorphological investigations themselves: orographic analysis, cartometry, remote analysis of hidden landforms, morphometry, geomorphological mapping, modeling of geomorphological systems and conceptual development of the methodology. Emphasis is placed on the important role of geomorphological mapping in understanding all processes on land cover and the history of its development, assessing the natural resources and natural hazards, and in forecasting the evolution of the landscape. The technique of representing results from geomorphological investigations as a geomorphological map requires developing a classification of topographic features and landforms, and publications of A. N. Lastochkin and his followers are specifically focused on this issue. The integrating role of N. A. Florensov’s ideas of concepts concerning the continental orogenesis and geomorphological formations is pointed out. The autonomy of geomorphology in the system of Earth sciences is demonstrated but it is emphasized that it is not possible to further develop geomorphological knowledge outside the province of related Earth sciences, primarily geology and physical geography. A substantiation is given to the exclusiveness of the object of study (topography of land cover) and the subject (main topographic properties: morphology, genesis, age, and morphogenesis processes) which can be analyzed solely by geomorphological research techniques and development models.

AB - We examine the question of determining the place of geomorphology in the system of Earth sciences. The study revealed that, in spite of the differences in understanding the subject matter of science, there are at least seven integrating and generally accepted techniques of geomorphological investigations themselves: orographic analysis, cartometry, remote analysis of hidden landforms, morphometry, geomorphological mapping, modeling of geomorphological systems and conceptual development of the methodology. Emphasis is placed on the important role of geomorphological mapping in understanding all processes on land cover and the history of its development, assessing the natural resources and natural hazards, and in forecasting the evolution of the landscape. The technique of representing results from geomorphological investigations as a geomorphological map requires developing a classification of topographic features and landforms, and publications of A. N. Lastochkin and his followers are specifically focused on this issue. The integrating role of N. A. Florensov’s ideas of concepts concerning the continental orogenesis and geomorphological formations is pointed out. The autonomy of geomorphology in the system of Earth sciences is demonstrated but it is emphasized that it is not possible to further develop geomorphological knowledge outside the province of related Earth sciences, primarily geology and physical geography. A substantiation is given to the exclusiveness of the object of study (topography of land cover) and the subject (main topographic properties: morphology, genesis, age, and morphogenesis processes) which can be analyzed solely by geomorphological research techniques and development models.

KW - concepts

KW - geology

KW - methodology

KW - models of morphogenesis

KW - physical geography

KW - topographic morphology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85040823573&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1134/S1875372817040011

DO - 10.1134/S1875372817040011

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85040823573

VL - 38

SP - 313

EP - 318

JO - Geography and Natural Resources

JF - Geography and Natural Resources

SN - 1875-3728

IS - 4

ER -