Sensitivity of landscape evolution and geomorphic processes to direct and indirect human influence

Auteur :
CENDRERO, A.

Description :
An assessment of some consequences of human activities on geomorphologic processes during the last century is presented. The effects of urban infrastructure development and mining on direct and indirect denudation and geologic materials transport in several study areas are analysed. Data obtained indicate that people are nowadays the main geomorphic agent. It is proposed that growing population, wealth and technology is the driving force behind a widespread global geomorphic change that affects landscape sensitivity. The effect of geomorphic change is added to that of climate change and implies an acceletation of landscape evolution rates as well as an intensification of geomorphic hazards. It is suggested that measures to mitigate geomorphic change should be taken in order to curb the observed trend towards increasing geomorphic disaster occurrence. - (NF)


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Geografia fisica e dinamica quaternaria, issn : 0391-9838, 2006, vol. 29, n°. 2, p. 125-137, nombre de pages : 13, Collation : Illustration, Références bibliographiques : 106 réf.

Date :
2006

Editeur :
Pays édition : Italie, Torino, Comitato glaciologico italiano