The use of surveying in mapping features within the physical Landscape - Essay Example

vides valuable botanical and faunal samples to compare with the mapping images to make it possible to arrive at right conclusions whether different land use systems were in vogue in these landscapes. These scenarios inevitably necessitated field surveys to either support, or to provide certainty to the veracity of digital mapping data bases. The science of land forms with emphasis on their origin, evolution, form, and distribution across the physical landscape is called geomorphology. The techniques employed to study geomorphology and landscape features include aerial photographic interpretation, field study of soil profiles; off-site sampling and analysis of extensive Paleolithic items; paleo-biological analysis, and drawing of paleo-geography.

Ultimately, the entire study will be placed within the given physical landscape using images along with GIS (Geographical Information System) systems. The study of features within the physical landscape includes investigation of its structure, development, and character. Geomorphologists, including many European practitioners have employed several methods to research and develop methods to illustrate features of earth’s physical surface. In 1899, Albert Heim undertook a balloon flight over the Alps to conduct observations and take aerial photographs to study the landscape.

In spite of all attempts by physiographers to provide qualitative descriptions and diagrams to provide accurate Maps provide historical information about landscape changes. Today’s many landscapes are the result of factors like river corrections. The hydraulic works have completely modified the geomorphological behavior of rivers that allowed extensive agriculture and later on commercial activities and urbanization. The analysis of landscape changes cannot be undertaken by using historical maps alone without field survey.

After all, maps are only representations of earlier realities and are static; they do not take landscape dynamics into account.