Geomorphology, Human Activity and Global Environmental Change

Demonstrates that the land-based geomorphological evidence of environmental change from late Pleistocene, Holocene, historical and contemporary time periods remain central to a full understanding of global environmental change both at the global and regional scale.
* Includes case studies from Europe, North America and AsiaUmweltveränderungen im globalen und regionalen Maßstab: Inwieweit haben wir sie verstanden? Zentraler Aspekt dieser Diskussion ist und bleibt die Verfolgung geomorphologischer Veränderungen vom späten Pleistozän, dem Holozän und der jüngsten Geschichte bis in unsere Tage. Dieses Buch behandelt ausführlich und objektiv die Auswirkungen von Klimaveränderungen und menschlicher Tätigkeit auf die Geomorphologie. List of Contributors

Preface and Acknowledgements

Section A Introduction

1. Global Environmental Change: The Global Agenda (by Olav Slaymaker)

Section B Tectonics, Sea Level and Climate Forcing

Introduction

2. Glacial Landforms in Taiwan and a Reinterpretation of the Last Glacial Snowline Depression (by Margot Böse)

3. The Effects of Relative Sea Level Changes on the Coastal Morphology of Southern Apulia (Italy) during the Holocene (by Michela Dini, Giuseppe Mastronuzzi and Paolo Sansò)

4. Estimating Pleistocene Tectonic Uplift Rates in the Southeastern Apennines (Italy) from Erosional Land Surfaces and Marine Terraces (by Annalisa Amato)

Section C Regional Hydrologic and Lacustrine Impacts of Global Environmental Change

Introduction

5. Slope-Channel Linkage as a Control on Geomorphic Sensitivity in Alpine Basins, Cascade Mountains, British Columbia (by Martin Evans)

6. A Holocene Debris-Flow Chronology for an Alpine Catchment, Colorado Front Range (by Brian Menounos)

7. Holocene Paleoenvironments in Central Spain Reconstructed by Sedimentological Investigation of Playa Lake Systems (by Brigitta Schütt)

8. Rainfall Increase, Land Use and Morphodynamic Changes in Northwestern Argentina as Indicators of the Effects of Future Climatic Changes (by J.M. Sayago and M. Toledo)

9. Some Considerations Regarding Climatic Change and Specific Erosion in Central Italy (by Walter Dragoni and Daniela Valigi)

Section D Human Activity and Global Environmental Change

Introduction

10. Sensitivity of Fluvial Systems to Climate Change and Human Impact: A Case Study from Central Europe (by Monika Igl, Roland Mäusbacher, Heike Schneider and Jussi Baade)

11. Geomorphological Change on the Tsengwen Coastal Plain in Southwestern Taiwan (by Jul-Chin Chang)

12. Environmental Impact of Land Use Change in the Inner Alentejo (Portugal) in the 20th century (by Denise de Brum Ferreira)

13. Classification of Spatial and Temporal Changes to a Developed Barrier Island, Seven Mile Beach, New Jersey, USA (by Nancy L. Jackson, Karl F. Nordstrom, Michael S. Bruno and Valerie L. Spalding)

14. Impact of Human Activities on Geomorphic Processes in the Almora Region, Central Himalaya, India (by J.S. Rawat, Geeta Rawat and S.P. Rai)

Section E Conclusion

15. Reflections on the Actual and Potential Role of Geomorphology in Global Environmental Change Research (by Olav Slaymaker)

Index "...a useful introduction to the topic..." (Aslib Book Guide, August 2000)

"...an excellent source of information...gives an excellent insight into the ways in which human activity can affect the geomorphic process..." (Civil Engineering Surveyor, January 2001)

"...the book is a well written demonstration that modern geomorphology has indeed a high potential to contribute to the study of global environmental change..." (Zeitschrift fur Geomorphologie)

"...There is plenty here to stimulate thought..." (The Geographical Journal, March 2002)

Olav Slaymaker Member of the Order of Canada, is a professor emeritus of geography in the Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. He has co-authored over 20 monographs. The purpose of this book is to demonstrate that the land-based geomorphological evidence of environmental change from late Pleistocene, Holocene, historical and contemporary time periods remain central to a full understanding of global environmental change both at the global and regional scale. Geomorphology, Human Activity and Global Environmental Change begins with a look at how global Pleistocene climate change affected placation and tectonic instability. The middle section then looks at environments unaffected by human activity in an attempt to explore scenarios that may result from climate change alone in the future. The final two sections look at human activity and global environmental change by monitoring floodplain stratigraphy, cartographic evidence, sediment transport, watershed studies and coastal surveys, and offer practical advice on land management issues. Case studies from Europe, North America and Asia are used.

This book is intended for environmental consultants, civil engineers, postgraduates and researchers in geomorphology, geology, civil engineering, environmental science and geography and as supplementary reading for upper level undergraduates of geomorphology in departments of geography, geology and environmental science.