Geomorphology and Environmental Management

Abstract

The previous chapters have revealed both the changing nature of physical environments and the changing roles of physical geographers in studying them. In approaching the links between such studies and environmental management, two perspectives are fundamental: first, the perspective of the specialist physical geographer who seeks to serve the needs of a range of management agencies; second, the perspective of management agencies on what the physical geographer can provide. Both perspectives are commonly partisan, but they can be explored in a relatively detached way through an appraisal of recent geographical contributions. In this chapter the perspective of the specialist physical geographer is explored through the manifold links between geomorphology and the hierarchy of management agencies in which geomorphological work can and often does play a role. Geomorphology is not alone amongst the systematic branches of physical geography in seeking to develop some of its research in the context of management, but it has made useful, perhaps exemplary progress in recent years.