Foreword
Introduction
Bremer, Hanna
Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Supplementary Issues Volume 54 Supplementary Issue 1 (2010), p. 1 - 2
published: May 1, 2010
DOI: 10.1127/zfg_suppl/54/2010/1pre
ArtNo. ESP023105401000, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
For many questions the reader is referred to standard works of geomorphology also comprising weathering including references to chemical laboratory experiments (e. g. Yatsu 1988) and rates of weathering and erosion. In the comprehensive “Geomorphology in the Tropics” by Thomas (1994) weathering and erosion are dealt with in much detail; climate change is taken into account, and the origin of tropical landforms is discussed, as are the theories related to it. Büdel (1957, 1977, 1982) made a distinction between the geomorphology of the tropics and that of the extratropical regions, in particular in his model of double planation. His approach has repeatedly been challenged, but was further developed by Bremer (1993, 1995, 1999) and will be broadened here by discussion of the processes of planation (10.5.5.3/4). Wirthmann (1987, 1999) explains many landforms and their development by the differences of structure and lithology that are common to the former Gondwana continents. Faniran & Jeje (1983), two colleagues who grew up in the tropics, present a host of extraordinary observations, but partly interpret them from the extratropical perspective. Of interest as background information are also the standard works of pedology (e. g. Scheffer-Schachtschabel 1998, van Wambeke 1978). Descriptions and illustrations of tropical soil profiles and catenas may also be found in Zech & Hintermaier-Erhard (2002). In the German language realm, both soil science and geomorphology, put more emphasis on morpho- and pedogenesis than in the English-speaking countries, both depend on spatial comparison (Bremer 2002). Because of the dense vegetation, the occurrence and areal extent of phenomena are often difficult to observe in rainforests. There are few colleagues who grew up in such an environment. On the other hand, those of us from the mid-latitudes, most of whom have swum rivers and climbed mountains, will take our first-hand experience and background for granted and will apply what seems self-evident from our perspective to the tropical environment when working there. Every so often, though, a critical second look will lead to quite different results.
Keywords
Weathering • tropical landforms • geomorphology • environment • continents • Gondwana