Climatic geomorphology
17
gaps in the understanding of periglacial environments (Barsch and Caine, 1984). There
are many relevant geomorphologists in the study of periglacial landforms and it is
difficult to highlight the outstanding contributors (i.e. Barsch, Biidel, Czudek, Demek,
French, Mackay, Pissart, Rapp, Tricart, Washburn). Some treatises on periglacial
geomorphology have been also published, stressing the work of Washburn (1979), which
was considered by Thorn (1992) to be the "bible" of this discipline. The thematic volume
edited by Clark (1988) is a collection of papers covering the whole periglacial geomorphology. Finally, the treatise of French (1996) updated the present knowledge on
periglacial research.
Extreme conditions in most of the present deserts of the world made it necessary to
carry out numerous expeditions and group research there during the last 50 years. In this
way, landscapes and landforms of these inhospitable regions have been progressively
studied. Satellite imagery, however, become a much appreciated tool for research on
arid zone geomorphology since the decade of the 1970s. It made possible large-scale
desert mapping and analysis, especially of the great sand deserts that were otherwise
intractable. The increasing interest in the knowledge of arid environments is manifest by
the recent creation of several "desert research centres" around the world. Research on
desert weathering and resultant micro-landforms has been undertaken by Cooke, Evans,
Goudie, Mabbutt and Twidale. Dorn and Oberlander have mainly done rock ("desert")
varnish studies, and Machette, Marion, Reeves, Summerfield and Watson developed
analyses of calcrete and silcrete crusts. There is also abundant and recent literature on
experimental analysis of complex process response on slope and drainage basin activities
(i.e. Abrahams, Bryan, De Ploey, Parsons, Schumm, Thornes). Fluvial geomorphology
on deserts has, as its main authors, Leopold, Wolman, Miller, Schumm and Shick.
Badland research has been focused on slope evolution and the quantification of slope
retreat (i.e. Grossman, Howard, King, Mabbutt, Oberlander, Selby, Twidale). The always
challenging topic of desert glacis and pediments has been undertaken by many different
authors (i.e. Birot, Dresch, King, Mabbutt, Mensching, Tricart, Twidale). The same can
be said of research on alluvial fans on which Blair, Bull, Denny, Harvey, Hooke and
Mcpherson, among others, can be considered as the key authors. There is also abundant
research on playa-lakes and sebkhas (i.e. Eugster, Glennie, Hardie, Krinsley, Thomas).
Aeolian erosion and sedimentation have been the subject of numerous research papers
in different scientific journals by Kocurek, Lancaster, Livingstone, Mainguet, McCauley,
Prw~, Pye, Thomas, Tsoar, Warren among others, but also thematic volumes on aeolian
geomorphology have been recently published (Pye, 1987; Pye and Tsoar, 1990;
Lancaster, 1995; Livingstone and Warren, 1996). On the other hand, the recurring
publication of thematic volumes and special issues on arid zone geomorphology is
relevant, such as those of Tricart (1969), Mabbutt (1977), Cooke et al. (1993), Abrahams
and Parsons (1994) and Thomas (1997a). These last two works are excellent special
volumes that comprise the contribution of many specialists on drylands.
Tropical geomorphology has not been a systematic research topic until very recent
times (Gupta, 1993). Some authors (Stoddart, 1969a,b; Twidale and Lageat, 1994) do not
even consider it a true morphoclimatic zone. Studies on weathering processes and laterite
development have been carried out by Berry, Birot, Goudie, Loughnan, McFarlane, Oilier,
Ruxton and Thomas, as the most relevant authors. Research on water erosion in tropical
forests has increased during the three last decades, and research was mainly focused
17
gaps in the understanding of periglacial environments (Barsch and Caine, 1984). There
are many relevant geomorphologists in the study of periglacial landforms and it is
difficult to highlight the outstanding contributors (i.e. Barsch, Biidel, Czudek, Demek,
French, Mackay, Pissart, Rapp, Tricart, Washburn). Some treatises on periglacial
geomorphology have been also published, stressing the work of Washburn (1979), which
was considered by Thorn (1992) to be the "bible" of this discipline. The thematic volume
edited by Clark (1988) is a collection of papers covering the whole periglacial geomorphology. Finally, the treatise of French (1996) updated the present knowledge on
periglacial research.
Extreme conditions in most of the present deserts of the world made it necessary to
carry out numerous expeditions and group research there during the last 50 years. In this
way, landscapes and landforms of these inhospitable regions have been progressively
studied. Satellite imagery, however, become a much appreciated tool for research on
arid zone geomorphology since the decade of the 1970s. It made possible large-scale
desert mapping and analysis, especially of the great sand deserts that were otherwise
intractable. The increasing interest in the knowledge of arid environments is manifest by
the recent creation of several "desert research centres" around the world. Research on
desert weathering and resultant micro-landforms has been undertaken by Cooke, Evans,
Goudie, Mabbutt and Twidale. Dorn and Oberlander have mainly done rock ("desert")
varnish studies, and Machette, Marion, Reeves, Summerfield and Watson developed
analyses of calcrete and silcrete crusts. There is also abundant and recent literature on
experimental analysis of complex process response on slope and drainage basin activities
(i.e. Abrahams, Bryan, De Ploey, Parsons, Schumm, Thornes). Fluvial geomorphology
on deserts has, as its main authors, Leopold, Wolman, Miller, Schumm and Shick.
Badland research has been focused on slope evolution and the quantification of slope
retreat (i.e. Grossman, Howard, King, Mabbutt, Oberlander, Selby, Twidale). The always
challenging topic of desert glacis and pediments has been undertaken by many different
authors (i.e. Birot, Dresch, King, Mabbutt, Mensching, Tricart, Twidale). The same can
be said of research on alluvial fans on which Blair, Bull, Denny, Harvey, Hooke and
Mcpherson, among others, can be considered as the key authors. There is also abundant
research on playa-lakes and sebkhas (i.e. Eugster, Glennie, Hardie, Krinsley, Thomas).
Aeolian erosion and sedimentation have been the subject of numerous research papers
in different scientific journals by Kocurek, Lancaster, Livingstone, Mainguet, McCauley,
Prw~, Pye, Thomas, Tsoar, Warren among others, but also thematic volumes on aeolian
geomorphology have been recently published (Pye, 1987; Pye and Tsoar, 1990;
Lancaster, 1995; Livingstone and Warren, 1996). On the other hand, the recurring
publication of thematic volumes and special issues on arid zone geomorphology is
relevant, such as those of Tricart (1969), Mabbutt (1977), Cooke et al. (1993), Abrahams
and Parsons (1994) and Thomas (1997a). These last two works are excellent special
volumes that comprise the contribution of many specialists on drylands.
Tropical geomorphology has not been a systematic research topic until very recent
times (Gupta, 1993). Some authors (Stoddart, 1969a,b; Twidale and Lageat, 1994) do not
even consider it a true morphoclimatic zone. Studies on weathering processes and laterite
development have been carried out by Berry, Birot, Goudie, Loughnan, McFarlane, Oilier,
Ruxton and Thomas, as the most relevant authors. Research on water erosion in tropical
forests has increased during the three last decades, and research was mainly focused