Applied
Geomorphology
Course Code:507
“As geomorphology is the study of the su ace of
the Ea h, its form, evolution and the processes that
sculpture it, so applied geomorphology can be
defined as the application of this knowledge in the
resolution of engineering, planning and
environmental/resource management problems”
Geography And Environment
Jahangirnagar University
Presented To:
Md. Rezaul Rakib
Associate Professor
Geography And Environment
Jahangirnagar University
Presented By:Group-A
Diba Tasnim
Class Roll:1028
Tanvia Isha
Class Roll:1013
Ishra Tasnim
Class Roll:1067
Abdullah Al Imran
Class Roll:1048
What is meant by “Geomorphology”?
GEO
(Ea h)
GEOMORPHOLOGY
LOGOS
MORPHE
(Study)
(Forms)
Geomorphology is defined as the science of description (STUDY) of various forms
(MORPHO) of the ea h’s su ace.
Definition of Geomorphology according to some scholars:
Geomorphology is the interpretative description of the relief features of the ear th
su ace.
(P.G. Worcester, 1940)
Geomorphology is defined as the scientific study of sur face features if the ear th’s
su ace involving interpretative description of landforms, their origin and development.
(Esterrok, 1969)
Geomorphology is the systematic description and analysis of landscapes and the
processes that change them.
(A.L. Bloom, 1979)
What are studied in geomorphology:
Various
landform
features and
landscapes
Geomorphological
processes of
various
environment.
Geological
timescale
Efficiency of
various
hazards
Geomorphologi
cal theories
Concept of applied geomorphology:
Applied geomorphology is a field of science where the research outcomes provide
information geomorphic landforms or processes that may be of concern to society,
and, where relevant, provides solutions to problems of geomorphic context.
Applied Geomorphology studies:
•Environment
•Human impact on environment
•Environmental hazards and disasters
Source: : The Gurdian
Example of some environmental
problems related with geomorphology
:
•Flood
•Ea hquake
•Landslide
•Drought
•Sea level rise
•Depletion of ground water
•Soil erosion
•River bank erosion
•Wind erosion
•Deforestation
Source: CNN
How various environmental problems are related with geomorphology:
•Various geomorphological processes and agents (water, wind, glacial, wave,
current, etc) are responsible for environmental problems.
Processes
Fluvial
Coastal
Aeolian
Slope
Glacial
Environmental problems
River flood, Soil erosion, River bank erosion
Tsunami, Cliff erosion, Beach erosion, Flood
Soil erosion, Dese ification, Flash flood
Landslide, Rockfall, Mudflow, Debris flow
Disruption of frozen ground, Flood, Ice melting
•To understand some issues, we need to take the help of some geomorphological
theories.
Plate tectonic theory
Ea hquake, Volcanism
•Geomorphology provides us the information of which area are vulnerable for which
problems an also the level of vulnerability.
•We need to have proper geomorphic knowledge to solve various environmental
How geomorphological knowledge helps in solving environmental problems:
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To construct dams and reservoirs
Regional planning
Landslide risk assessment
Coastal shoreline erosion management
To do and accelerate tree plantation
Environmental restoration and conservation
Sustainable development
Afforestation
The Drainage Basin and Management
The drainage basin is an open system, where water is added and lost and constantly
moves. This means it has inputs, outputs, stores and transfers. The drainage basin is an
area of land surrounding a river and its tributaries into which all the water drains. It will also
include water that is stored in the water table and that flows over the su ace as runoff.
A drainage basin is an area of land where
water from rain or snow melt drains
downhill into a body of water such as a
river, lake, wetland or ocean. The drainage
basin includes both the streams and rivers
that convey the water as well as the land
sur fa ce from which water drains into
Types and Factors of Drainage Basin
A number of factors influence input, output,
and transpo of sediment and water in a
drainage basin. Such factors include:
 topography,
 soil type,
 bedrock type,
 climate, and
 Vegetation cover.
These factors also influence the nature of
the structure of drainage basins
Source: h p://www.physicalgeography.net/
Drainage basin management:
Basin management is a geographically based approach of protecting and restoring
water quality and quantity.
Source: ScienceDirect.com
Human's inte erence with fluvial systems
Human inte erence with fluvial systems has had significant impacts on the
environment and the functioning of river ecosystems. Here are a few examples of
how human activities have affected fluvial systems:
Damming
Channelizatio Human
n
inte erence
Overuse of water
resources
Pollution
Human's inte erence with fluvial systems
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Damming: The construction of dams has altered the natural flow of rivers, which can
impact the ecosystem downstream. Dams can also cause sediment buildup, which
can affect the water quality and flow.
Channelization: Straightening and widening of rivers, called channelization, is done
to control flooding or for navigation purposes. This process can alter the natural flow
of the river, leading to increased erosion and sedimentation.
Pollution: Human activities such as agriculture, mining, and industrial activities can
introduce pollutants into rivers, leading to water quality degradation, which can have
severe impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
Overuse of water resources: Overuse of water resources, such as excessive
withdrawal of water for agriculture or urban use, can lead to reduced water flow and
can even lead to the complete drying up of a river, which can have catastrophic
The nature and purpose of land evaluation
Land evaluation is a process of assessing the quality and potential of a piece of land for a
specific use or purpose. The purpose of land evaluation is to provide landowners, farmers,
developers, and other stakeholders with information to make informed decisions about
land use planning, management, and investment.
The nature of land evaluation can be described as a multidisciplinary approach that
combines knowledge from several fields, including soil science, geology, hydrology,
climate science, and ecology, among others. It involves gathering data on various aspects
of the land, such as soil type, topography, water resources, climate, vegetation, and land
use history, among others. This information is then analyzed to determine the land's
suitability and potential for a specific use or purpose.
The primary purpose of land evaluation is to provide information to decision-makers to
make informed choices about land use. This includes decisions on whether to use the
land for agriculture, forestry, residential development, recreation, conservation, or other
purposes. Land evaluation can also help to identify potential risks and oppor tunities
associated with different land uses and inform strategies to manage these risks.
Some other purposes of land evaluation include:
 Identifying the most suitable areas for specific land uses or activities.
 Helping to identify potential environmental impacts associated with land use change.
 Suppo ing land use planning and policy development at local, regional, or national
levels.
 Informing landowners and investors about the potential productivity and profitability
of the land.
Conclusion
Applied geomorphology is an impor tant field of study that focuses on the
processes that shape the Ear th's sur face and how they interact with human
activities. It provides valuable information for natural hazard assessments, land
use planning and management, and environmental impact assessments. By
understanding the physical processes that shape the land, decision-makers can
make informed choices about how to use and manage the land in the most
effective and sustainable way possible.
Thank You…