Original paper
Integrative work methods of weathering and geoecology
Bremer, Hanna
Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Supplementary Issues Volume 54 Supplementary Issue 1 (2010), p. 226 - 291
published: May 1, 2010
DOI: 10.1127/zfg_suppl/54/2010/226
ArtNo. ESP023105401010, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Ecology is the study of the interaction between organisms and environment. With the prefix geo- added, the interaction with the biosphere is then expanded to include the remaining geofactors: Relief, bedrock, soil, climate and water. Measurements in geoecology are made with respect to the respective focuses; for relief and soil, above all, these are the erosion rates. This is difficult due to the subterranean processes in the tropics, since neither passageways nor catchment areas are exactly determined, as they cannot be directly observed. Integrative work methods of weathering and geoecology should be aimed for because of three reasons: 1) Connecting as many geofactors as possible allows the individual factors to be weighted, which enhances understanding of the mutual interactions. 2) Integrating field observations with laboratory analyses enables quantifying, thus enhancing comparability and ensuring reproducibility. 3) In addition, this allows differentiating between recent and older processes. The issues involved in applying weathering analyses to landscape genesis have already been reported on (Bremer 2002). Thus, they are only briefly mentioned here. This chapter is divided according to transport processes: Those that occur underground, i. e. subterranean, and those on the surface. These processes shape the relief over long periods of time and accordingly the reverse holds true that the processes can be derived from the land forms. Substances that were set free through weathering are transported. Climate and water balance control the movements. The parent rock has less influence in the tropics than in the extratropics.
Keywords
organisms • relief • soil • geofactors • water balance • subterranean • surface • extratropics