Applied Geomorphology: The Two Main Lines of Application

Suppose you are standing atop a hill, gazing at the landscape below. Rivers carve their way through valleys, roads snake around mountains, and cities expand over plains. The world we live in is not just a passive backdrop—it is a dynamic system that influences us, just as we influence it. Applied geomorphology helps us understand this interaction and use it to our advantage, ensuring sustainable development and minimizing risks.

According to Charley, Schumm, and Sugden, applied geomorphology has two primary lines of application:

1. Resource Evaluation, Engineering Construction, and Planning

This aspect of applied geomorphology is all about understanding the land so we can use it wisely. It includes:

• Resource Inventories – Cataloguing landforms, soil types, water bodies, and minerals to guide development projects.
• Environmental Management – Studying erosion, deforestation, and climate impacts to plan conservation efforts.
• Land Use Planning – Deciding the best locations for cities, roads, and industries based on geomorphic stability.
• Mapping for Stability and Hydrology – Creating hazard maps for floods, landslides, and earthquakes to protect lives and infrastructure.

Real-World Applications:

1. Urban Planning: Cities built on unstable slopes, like those in hilly regions, require special engineering solutions. Geomorphic studies help determine the safest locations for expansion.
2. Disaster Prevention: Japan’s earthquake-resistant buildings and the Netherlands’ flood management systems are excellent examples of geomorphology in action.
3. Road and Infrastructure Development: Engineers analyze terrain before constructing highways or railways to avoid landslide-prone areas.

Essentially, this line of applied geomorphology helps humans work with nature, rather than against it.

2. Human Beings as Geomorphic Agents

Now, let’s flip the perspective. It’s not just landforms influencing us—we also reshape the land through our actions, sometimes intentionally, sometimes inadvertently.

Planned Human Modifications to Geomorphic Processes:

Humans have long tried to tame nature for their benefit:

• Rivers have been straightened and diverted for irrigation and navigation.
• Embankments and dams have been built to control floods.
• Coastal walls protect against erosion in places like Mumbai and Venice.
• Afforestation projects help stabilize sand dunes and prevent desertification.

These efforts reflect our desire to modify landscapes for agriculture, infrastructure, and safety.

Unintended Consequences of Human Activities:

However, many human activities disturb natural processes in ways we don’t always foresee:

• Deforestation accelerates soil erosion, increasing sediment loads in rivers and causing floods.
• Mining and groundwater extraction lead to land subsidence (e.g., sinking cities like Jakarta).
• Unplanned urban expansion disrupts drainage systems, causing urban flooding.
• Dams alter sediment flow, leading to coastal erosion downstream.
• Construction at high altitudes has disturbed permafrost, leading to unexpected landslides.

In short, humans are geomorphic agents, whether we intend to be or not. Applied geomorphology helps us understand these effects, mitigate damage, and build a more sustainable future.

Conclusion: The Balance Between Use and Conservation

Geomorphic knowledge is like a double-edged sword—when used wisely, it helps us build safer cities, manage natural resources, and prevent disasters. But when ignored, it leads to environmental degradation and increased vulnerability to natural hazards. The key is balance: developing in harmony with nature rather than disrupting its delicate equilibrium.