Preface to the English language edition
During the past few decades, knowledge in climatic geomorphology has been substantially
increased thanks to numerous detailed investigations, the application of a large number of
techniques, and the acquisition of abundant absolute dates. The challenge of predicting the
effects of the prophesied future global warming on morphogenetic processes and
landforms has encouraged geomorphologists to study the Late Pleistocene and Holocene
climatic changes from the geomorphological and geological record. The advances
achieved in the field of climatic geomorphology during the past years are reflected in the
publication of several specific monographs about the different morphoclimatic zones. The
aim of this book is to provide an up-to-date general view of this branch of geomorphology.
It includes a chapter on applied geomorphology for each morphoclimatic zone providing
an approximation of the main environmental problems.
I hope that the book will be useful to geomorphology students and to those interested in
the role played by climatic conditions on the generation of landforms and landscapes.
I would be fully satisfied if it helps some researchers working in disciplines close to
climatic geomorphology. I would like to express my warmest gratitude to the scientists
involved in the review of the book: G. Benito, A. Cendrero, J.L. Goy, J. Gracia, F.
Guti~rrez, J. Ldpez-Martfnez, A. G6mez-Ortiz, A. Martfn-Serrano, J.L. Pefia, A. P~rezGonz~ilez, J. Rodrfguez-Vidal, J.M. Garcfa-Ruiz, C. Sancho and C. Zazo. Their wise
suggestions and the unpublished data supplied have contributed to the improvement of the
content of the book. Most of them have provided excellent photographs from different
parts of the Planet. I would also like to thank Dr A. G6mez-Sal, Dr B. Lerfinoz, C.
Maldonado, E. Pueyo and M. Urigtien for additional photographs providing.
I would especially like to thank G. Benito, G. Desir, J.M. Garcfa-Ruiz, J. Gracia,
F. Guti~rrez, J. Ldpez-Martfnez, C. Martf, J. Remondo, P. Silva, and B. Valero for their
help with translation of the text into English so that Editor J. Shroder could proceed with
completing the new edition.
We are very grateful to the other editors, societies, institutions and researchers for the
authorizations conceded to reproduce several figures in this publication. We have not received responses from some editors and researchers to our request for a reproduction permit
for which we apologize. We would be thankful for any information that would facilitate this
task. Some of the figures came from journals that are now out of print or difficult to obtain.
My sincere gratitude goes to Ana Carmen Aguirre, who has typed all of the manuscripts
and has rigorously prepared the figures with great enthusiasm.
Finally, thanks to Nieves for her continuous help, tolerance and infinite patience.
Mateo Gutidrrez
During the past few decades, knowledge in climatic geomorphology has been substantially
increased thanks to numerous detailed investigations, the application of a large number of
techniques, and the acquisition of abundant absolute dates. The challenge of predicting the
effects of the prophesied future global warming on morphogenetic processes and
landforms has encouraged geomorphologists to study the Late Pleistocene and Holocene
climatic changes from the geomorphological and geological record. The advances
achieved in the field of climatic geomorphology during the past years are reflected in the
publication of several specific monographs about the different morphoclimatic zones. The
aim of this book is to provide an up-to-date general view of this branch of geomorphology.
It includes a chapter on applied geomorphology for each morphoclimatic zone providing
an approximation of the main environmental problems.
I hope that the book will be useful to geomorphology students and to those interested in
the role played by climatic conditions on the generation of landforms and landscapes.
I would be fully satisfied if it helps some researchers working in disciplines close to
climatic geomorphology. I would like to express my warmest gratitude to the scientists
involved in the review of the book: G. Benito, A. Cendrero, J.L. Goy, J. Gracia, F.
Guti~rrez, J. Ldpez-Martfnez, A. G6mez-Ortiz, A. Martfn-Serrano, J.L. Pefia, A. P~rezGonz~ilez, J. Rodrfguez-Vidal, J.M. Garcfa-Ruiz, C. Sancho and C. Zazo. Their wise
suggestions and the unpublished data supplied have contributed to the improvement of the
content of the book. Most of them have provided excellent photographs from different
parts of the Planet. I would also like to thank Dr A. G6mez-Sal, Dr B. Lerfinoz, C.
Maldonado, E. Pueyo and M. Urigtien for additional photographs providing.
I would especially like to thank G. Benito, G. Desir, J.M. Garcfa-Ruiz, J. Gracia,
F. Guti~rrez, J. Ldpez-Martfnez, C. Martf, J. Remondo, P. Silva, and B. Valero for their
help with translation of the text into English so that Editor J. Shroder could proceed with
completing the new edition.
We are very grateful to the other editors, societies, institutions and researchers for the
authorizations conceded to reproduce several figures in this publication. We have not received responses from some editors and researchers to our request for a reproduction permit
for which we apologize. We would be thankful for any information that would facilitate this
task. Some of the figures came from journals that are now out of print or difficult to obtain.
My sincere gratitude goes to Ana Carmen Aguirre, who has typed all of the manuscripts
and has rigorously prepared the figures with great enthusiasm.
Finally, thanks to Nieves for her continuous help, tolerance and infinite patience.
Mateo Gutidrrez