Landscape Evolution: Landforms, Ecosystems, and Soils

Landscape Evolution synthesizes and integrates theories and threads of inquiry, arguing that evolutionary trends are probabilistic, emergent outcomes of efficiency selection. It is an interdisciplinary reference for academic and research scientists across the Earth sciences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 356 pages
Publication date: 06 May 2021
Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc

Landscape evolution is a complex and multifaceted field that examines the formation, transformation, and dynamics of landforms, ecosystems, and soils. It requires a holistic approach, considering the intricate interactions between the Earth's surface systems, the interplay of universal laws and historical and geographical contingencies, and the implications of nonlinear dynamics in landscapes, ecosystems, and soils.

Development, evolution, landforms, topography, soils, ecosystems, and hydrological systems are interconnected and interdependent. While empirical studies have increasingly incorporated these interactions, theories and conceptual frameworks addressing landforms, soils, and ecosystems are pursued largely independently. This is partly due to the diverse academic disciplines, traditions, and lexicons involved, as well as the varying time scales encountered.

Landscape Evolution explicitly synthesizes and integrates these theories and threads of inquiry, arguing that all are guided by a general principle of efficiency selection. A key theme is that evolutionary trends are probabilistic, emergent outcomes of efficiency selection rather than purported goal functions. This interdisciplinary reference will be valuable to academic and research scientists across the Earth sciences.

Landscape evolution encompasses various processes, including tectonic uplift, erosion, weathering, sedimentation, and the formation of landforms such as mountains, valleys, plateaus, and rivers. These processes are influenced by factors such as climate change, plate tectonics, and human activities.

Ecosystems within landscapes are also shaped by evolution, with species adapting to changing environmental conditions and evolving new traits to survive and thrive. Ecosystems can be classified into different types, such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, and deserts, each with its unique characteristics and biodiversity.

Soils, as the interface between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere, play a crucial role in shaping landscapes and supporting plant growth. Soil formation is influenced by factors such as parent material, topography, climate, and vegetation. Different soil types have distinct properties, such as texture, fertility, and water-holding capacity, which affect the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems.

Understanding the evolution of landscapes, ecosystems, and soils is essential for predicting and managing natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides. It also helps us understand the impact of human activities on the environment and develop sustainable land management practices.

In conclusion, landscape evolution is a multidisciplinary field that requires a holistic approach to understanding the complex interactions between the Earth's surface systems, the evolution of ecosystems, and the formation and transformation of soils. By integrating different theories and perspectives, we can gain a deeper understanding of the Earth's natural systems and develop strategies for sustainable land management and conservation.

Weight: 700g
Dimension: 235 x 191 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780128217252