Preface

Geomorphology is the interdisciplinary and systematic study of landforms and their landscapes as well as the earth surface processes that create and change them (Castiglioni, 1986; Goudie, 2004; http://www.geomorph.org). The overwhelming majority of human activities interact with the landforms that make up the surface and near surface of terrestrial, nearshore and offshore 'landscapes'. Understanding and mapping geomorphology therefore can be seen as fundamental to the safe, economic and sustainable development of the planet Earth (Alcantara-Ayala and Goudie, 2010; Smith et al., 2011).

This branch of the science acquired its role in the natural science since the '800s and developed progressively. Since the end of the '900s geomorphology can be included within applied and environmental sciences and contributes to face and solve several environmental and geological issues.

In this fields geomorphological analysis provides methods and tools for mapping of landforms to define hazards and resources and for mapping of other phenomena through their association with landform. It is possible to identify rates of change of hazardous phenomena and causes of changes and hazards, to help post event surveys of hazardous events, and to predict and model future scenarios and hazards. In this way geomorphology contributes to monitor present changes, model future changes, identifies vulnerable areas, and provides useful indication for mitigation strategies and management solution of geomorphological problems, also considering feedbacks of geomorphological change (Panizza, 1996; Alcantara-Ayala and Goudie, 2010). The base of this work is mapping of morphometry, landforms, hazards, etc. using field surveys, airphotos, remote sensing, GIS to produce geomorphological maps. Mapping landforms implies mapping, and understanding the related processes (Smith et al., 2011).

Environmental and applied geomorphology supports, thereafter, a correct and sustainable land management taking into account specific risk and resources.

This book includes several geomorphological studies up-to-date, incorporating different disciplines and methodologies, always focused on methods, tools and general issues of environmental and applied geomorphology. In designing the book we considered the integration of multiple methodological fields (geomorphological mapping, remote sensing, meteorological and climate analysis, vegetation and

#### XII Preface

biogeomorphological investigations, geographic information systems GIS, land management methods), study areas, countries and continents (Europe, North America, Asia, Africa).

Preface XI

Among simple and major questions concerning a wide variety of challenging coastal problems, the sixth chapter by Özyurt and Ergin gives brief information on the theoretical background of sources of sediment transport mechanisms and physical and numerical modeling attempting to understand these mechanisms. Special emphasis is given to the numerical modeling of shoreline changes due to longshore sediment transport in areas where human induced activities put a pressure on the sediment

There are many environmental and economic management needs that can be addressed with ecosystem modelling, focusing not only on coastal areas but also, for example, on fluvial landscapes. Methods and data presented by Theiling et al. in chapter seven, concerning Upper Mississippi River, indicate how Hydro-Geomorphic Classification and potential vegetation mapping can help estimate physical-ecological cascades resulting from hydrologic and geomorphic alteration of large rivers, and

Chapter eight, by Loughland et al., identifies and quantifies changes in the coastal ecosystems of an area that underwent a strong impact of man in the landscape, the Arabian Gulf. The changes are documented by field survey and remote sensing. The chapter reports the rapid change since 1967, highlights the development trends and land use changes until 2010 within the coastal zone, and indicates areas where urgent additional conservation actions are now required to protect the remaining natural habitats and wildlife populations from continued impact resulting from rapid and

In chapter nine, by Forkuor and Maathuis, the most worldwide used freely available DEMs - the SRTM and ASTER derived DEMs - are compared and validated against a reference DEM in two regions of Ghana. the study has revealed that SRTM is "closer" to the Reference DEM than ASTER, although both products are useful, and has confirmed that various surface processes can be appropriately studied when using these global elevation data sets. This data is an excellent replacement for local 1:50 000

Chapter ten, by Janssen, deals with a broad subject, contributing to the recently started debate on sustainable development of protected areas by comparing and assessing the different governance strategies in British, French and German protected landscapes. Some preliminary conclusions are drawn, and some remarks are given on the future of

Finally, the last chapter, by Lóránt, is a broad introduction to the Origin and development of anthropogenic geomorphology, a new approach and practice to investigate our physical environment. This approach came from the urgent demands of society against geography and geomorphology, that underlined the tasks to promote efficiently the rational utilization of natural resources and potentials, to

maps particularly in the analysis of environmental and hydrological processes.

protected landscapes in Western Europe in a governance context.

supply resources and particularly on coastal geomorphology.

related restoration.

hastening coastal development.

Particularly, in a trip from north to south and from west to east, eleven chapters are included in this book.

In the first chapter W. B. Whalley takes an overview of the mapping problems associated with features, other than moraines, associated glacial features. Recognising the genesis of them is important as it may help to provide evidence for the magnitude-frequency of cold events. Furthermore, as some features seen and mapped may be post-glacial slope failures rather than glacial deposits, their identification and correct interpretation may be useful for mapping slope failures in an area rather than glacial features.

P. Raška, in the second chapter, presents new non-destructive methods and techniques used in the biogeomorphologic study of hillslope processes, particularly sheet erosion and shallow landslides. These processes have significant impacts on landscape and society and their research represents the fundamental issue for applied geomorphology.

Geomorphological effects of heavy rainfall are analysed in the third chapter by Miccadei et al., through field surveys, aerial photo analysis and inventories, mapping the distribution of the landslides, soil erosion and flooding. The chapter highlights that these types of methods, investigations and data are basic in applied studies for the stabilisation and management of slopes and minor or major drainage basins, and for general land management. These types of studies allow to define the future scenarios which sustainable land planning and management should be based on - supporting the process of creating an urban plan.

The fourth chapter, by Svetislav S. Krstić, is focused mainly on environmental issues of eutrophication in lakes' history contributing to elucidating and/or separating the natural processes from the anthropogenically induced ones. In this regard, under the comprehensive River Basin Management Plan development for the Prespa Lake catchment (Macedonia), the results of a 12 months surveillance monitoring are presented in this chapter, in order to reveal the present ecological situation and the past changes during the last 10 ka period.

Being that coastal zones are socially and economically important and with high population densities, chapter five, written by Baykal et al., deals with the complex management of these areas. It focuses on interdisciplinary approaches of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) as efficient actions for sustainable development and for facing risks in coastal areas. The results coming from fuzzy coastal vulnerability assessment model allow to discuss the role of geomorphology on vulnerability of coastal areas. Integration of different spatial and temporal of geomorphology and ICZM are also discussed.

Among simple and major questions concerning a wide variety of challenging coastal problems, the sixth chapter by Özyurt and Ergin gives brief information on the theoretical background of sources of sediment transport mechanisms and physical and numerical modeling attempting to understand these mechanisms. Special emphasis is given to the numerical modeling of shoreline changes due to longshore sediment transport in areas where human induced activities put a pressure on the sediment supply resources and particularly on coastal geomorphology.

X Preface

Asia, Africa).

included in this book.

geomorphology.

the process of creating an urban plan.

past changes during the last 10 ka period.

ICZM are also discussed.

biogeomorphological investigations, geographic information systems GIS, land management methods), study areas, countries and continents (Europe, North America,

Particularly, in a trip from north to south and from west to east, eleven chapters are

In the first chapter W. B. Whalley takes an overview of the mapping problems associated with features, other than moraines, associated glacial features. Recognising the genesis of them is important as it may help to provide evidence for the magnitude-frequency of cold events. Furthermore, as some features seen and mapped may be post-glacial slope failures rather than glacial deposits, their identification and correct interpretation may be

P. Raška, in the second chapter, presents new non-destructive methods and techniques used in the biogeomorphologic study of hillslope processes, particularly sheet erosion and shallow landslides. These processes have significant impacts on landscape and society and their research represents the fundamental issue for applied

Geomorphological effects of heavy rainfall are analysed in the third chapter by Miccadei et al., through field surveys, aerial photo analysis and inventories, mapping the distribution of the landslides, soil erosion and flooding. The chapter highlights that these types of methods, investigations and data are basic in applied studies for the stabilisation and management of slopes and minor or major drainage basins, and for general land management. These types of studies allow to define the future scenarios which sustainable land planning and management should be based on - supporting

The fourth chapter, by Svetislav S. Krstić, is focused mainly on environmental issues of eutrophication in lakes' history contributing to elucidating and/or separating the natural processes from the anthropogenically induced ones. In this regard, under the comprehensive River Basin Management Plan development for the Prespa Lake catchment (Macedonia), the results of a 12 months surveillance monitoring are presented in this chapter, in order to reveal the present ecological situation and the

Being that coastal zones are socially and economically important and with high population densities, chapter five, written by Baykal et al., deals with the complex management of these areas. It focuses on interdisciplinary approaches of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) as efficient actions for sustainable development and for facing risks in coastal areas. The results coming from fuzzy coastal vulnerability assessment model allow to discuss the role of geomorphology on vulnerability of coastal areas. Integration of different spatial and temporal of geomorphology and

useful for mapping slope failures in an area rather than glacial features.

There are many environmental and economic management needs that can be addressed with ecosystem modelling, focusing not only on coastal areas but also, for example, on fluvial landscapes. Methods and data presented by Theiling et al. in chapter seven, concerning Upper Mississippi River, indicate how Hydro-Geomorphic Classification and potential vegetation mapping can help estimate physical-ecological cascades resulting from hydrologic and geomorphic alteration of large rivers, and related restoration.

Chapter eight, by Loughland et al., identifies and quantifies changes in the coastal ecosystems of an area that underwent a strong impact of man in the landscape, the Arabian Gulf. The changes are documented by field survey and remote sensing. The chapter reports the rapid change since 1967, highlights the development trends and land use changes until 2010 within the coastal zone, and indicates areas where urgent additional conservation actions are now required to protect the remaining natural habitats and wildlife populations from continued impact resulting from rapid and hastening coastal development.

In chapter nine, by Forkuor and Maathuis, the most worldwide used freely available DEMs - the SRTM and ASTER derived DEMs - are compared and validated against a reference DEM in two regions of Ghana. the study has revealed that SRTM is "closer" to the Reference DEM than ASTER, although both products are useful, and has confirmed that various surface processes can be appropriately studied when using these global elevation data sets. This data is an excellent replacement for local 1:50 000 maps particularly in the analysis of environmental and hydrological processes.

Chapter ten, by Janssen, deals with a broad subject, contributing to the recently started debate on sustainable development of protected areas by comparing and assessing the different governance strategies in British, French and German protected landscapes. Some preliminary conclusions are drawn, and some remarks are given on the future of protected landscapes in Western Europe in a governance context.

Finally, the last chapter, by Lóránt, is a broad introduction to the Origin and development of anthropogenic geomorphology, a new approach and practice to investigate our physical environment. This approach came from the urgent demands of society against geography and geomorphology, that underlined the tasks to promote efficiently the rational utilization of natural resources and potentials, to

#### XIV Preface

achieve an environmental management satisfying social requirements and opportunities.

#### **Dr. Tommaso Piacentini**

Department of Engineering and Geology, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti Pescara, Italy

#### **Dr. Enrico Miccadei**

Associated Professor of Physical Geography and Cartography, Department of Engineering and Geology, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti Pescara, Italy

References


Castiglioni G.B. (1986). Geomorfologia. UTET, Torino.

Goudie A. Ed. 2004. Encyclopaedia of Geomorphology. Routledge, London.
