The Geohistorical Approach: Methods and Applications

This book provides a comprehensive view of the geohistorical approach to geographical and geological sciences, which uses techniques and perspectives from geography, history, and natural sciences to examine topics that inform space-time knowledge of environment, territory, and landscape. It defines the term geohistorical approach, reviews the main disciplines that connect geography and history, describes the methods used, and provides case studies to demonstrate the use and integration of geohistorical methods.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 348 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the strengths and limitations of the interdisciplinary methods that form the geohistorical approach to geographical and geological sciences. The geohistorical approach can be defined as a multi- and interdisciplinary approach that employs techniques and perspectives primarily from geography, history, and natural sciences to examine topics that inform the space-time knowledge of environment, territory, and landscape. The boundary between the application of physical and human science methods is vast and ambiguous. This volume exists at this boundary and offers an approach that utilizes both historical data from both physical and human records and GIScience (e.g., GIS, cartography, GPS, remote sensing) to investigate the evolution of the environment, territory, and landscape through both space and time.

The first objective of this volume is to define the term geohistorical approach. An entire chapter is dedicated to a review of the main disciplines that connect geography and history, a review of the terms environment, territory, and landscape as objects of study of this approach, and the definition and importance of the geohistorical approach.

The second goal is to describe the methods used in the geohistorical approach. Eight chapters present the key methods, also using examples of applications from the international context, offering an awareness of the potentials, limitations, and accuracy of each method, with particular focus on the integration of methods.

The third goal is to provide case studies to demonstrate the use and integration of geohistorical methods from both original material and published research. A final chapter is dedicated to an interdisciplinary case study from the Venetian Plain (Italy), providing a comprehensive exploration of the geohistorical approach in a real-world context.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in exploring the complex relationship between geography, history, and the environment. By employing a multi- and interdisciplinary approach, the geohistorical approach provides a unique perspective on the evolution of the environment, territory, and landscape, and its significance in understanding the human-environment interaction.

Weight: 563g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030424411
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020