Editing Physical geography (section)

== Sub-branches ==
[[Image:Delicate Arch LaSalle.jpg|thumb|right|100px|A [[natural arch]]]]
Physical geography can be divided into several branches or related fields, as follows:

* '''[[Geomorphology]]'''<ref name="DCL">{{cite web
| url = https://researchguides.dartmouth.edu/physical_geography
| title = Physical Geography: Defining Physical Geography
| access-date = 2019-11-18
| work = Dartmouth College Library
}}</ref><ref name="UNR">{{cite web
| url = https://www.unr.edu/geography/department-specialties/physical-geography
|title = Physical Geography
| work = University of Nevada, Reno
}}</ref> is concerned with understanding the [[lithosphere|surface]] of the Earth and the processes by which it is shaped, both at the present as well as in the past. Geomorphology as a field has several sub-fields that deal with the specific [[landform]]s of various environments, e.g. [[desert]] geomorphology and [[fluvial]] geomorphology; however, these sub-fields are united by the core processes which cause them, mainly tectonic or climatic processes. Geomorphology seeks to understand [[landform]] history and dynamics, and predict future changes through a combination of field observation, physical experiment, and numerical modeling ([[Geomorphometry]]). Early studies in geomorphology are the foundation for pedology, one of two main branches of [[soil science]].

[[Image:Meander-en.svg|thumb|right|100px|[[Meander]] formation]]

* '''[[Hydrology]]'''<ref name = "DCL"/><ref name="UNR"/> is predominantly concerned with the amounts and quality of water moving and accumulating on the land surface and in the soils and rocks near the surface and is typified by the [[hydrological cycle]]. Thus the field encompasses water in [[river]]s, [[lake]]s, [[aquifer]]s and to an extent [[glacier]]s, in which the field examines the process and dynamics involved in these bodies of water. Hydrology has historically had an important connection with [[engineering]] and has thus developed a largely quantitative method in its research; however, it does have an [[earth science]] side that embraces the systems approach. Similar to most fields of physical geography it has sub-fields that examine the specific bodies of water or their interaction with other spheres e.g. [[limnology]] and [[ecohydrology]].
*'''[[Glaciology]]''' is the study of [[glacier]]s and [[ice sheets]], or more commonly the [[cryosphere]] or [[ice]] and phenomena that involve ice. Glaciology groups the latter (ice sheets) as continental glaciers and the former (glaciers) as alpine glaciers. Although research in the areas is similar to research undertaken into both the dynamics of ice sheets and glaciers, the former tends to be concerned with the interaction of ice sheets with the present climate and the latter with the impact of glaciers on the landscape. Glaciology also has a vast array of sub-fields examining the factors and processes involved in ice sheets and glaciers e.g. [[snow]] hydrology and [[glacial geology]].
* '''[[Biogeography]]'''<ref name = "DCL"/><ref name="UNR"/> is the science which deals with geographic patterns of species distribution and the processes that result in these patterns. Biogeography emerged as a field of study as a result of the work of [[Alfred Russel Wallace]], although the field prior to the late twentieth century had largely been viewed as historic in its outlook and descriptive in its approach. The main stimulus for the field since its founding has been that of [[evolution]], [[plate tectonics]] and the theory of island biogeography. The field can largely be divided into five sub-fields: [[island biogeography]], paleobiogeography, [[phylogeography]], [[zoogeography]] and [[phytogeography]].
* '''[[Climatology]]'''<ref name = "DCL"/><ref name="UNR"/> is the study of the [[climate]], scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over a long period of time. Climatology examines both the nature of micro (local) and macro (global) climates and the natural and [[wiktionary: anthropogenic|anthropogenic]] influences on them. The field is also sub-divided largely into the climates of various regions and the study of specific phenomena or time periods e.g. [[tropical cyclone rainfall climatology]] and [[paleoclimatology]].
* '''Soil geography''' deals with the distribution of soils across the [[terrain]]. This discipline, between geography and soil science, is fundamental to both physical geography and [[pedology]].<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.civilserviceindia.com/subject/General-Studies/notes/images/social-science.png
| title = Subdisciplines of Geography | type = PNG | work = Civil Service India | quote = Soils Geography lies between Physical Geography and Pedology
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| title = Soil geography: a subject transformed
| first = E. M.
| last = Bridges
| doi = 10.1177/030913338100500303
| quote = (Soil geography) is a branch of study which lies between geography and soil science and is to be found as a fundamental part of both subjects (Bridges and Davidson, 1981)
| journal = Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment
| volume = 5
| issue = 3
| pages = 398–407
| date = 1981
| bibcode = 1981PrPG....5..398B
| s2cid = 131268490
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| url =  http://rcin.org.pl/igipz/Content/71/z3_2004.pdf
| trans-title = Soil geography as a physical geography discipline
| title = Geografia gleb jako dyscyplina flzycznogeograficzna
| language = pl
| date = 2004
| publisher = Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization PAS
| place = Warsaw
| via = RCIN
| first = Marek
| last = Degórski
| quote = soil geography may be defined as a scientific discipline - within both geography and soil science - that deals with the distribution of soils across the Earth's surface
| journal = Przeglad Geograficzny
| volume = 76
| pages = 271–288
| issn = 0033-2143
}}
*{{cite web |author=M. Degórski |date=January 2004 |title=Soil geography as a physical geography discipline |website=ResearchGate |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285924145 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Pedology is the study of soils in their natural environment. It deals with [[pedogenesis]], [[soil morphology]], [[soil classification]]. Soil geography studies the spatial distribution of soils as it relates to [[topography]], climate (water, air, temperature), [[soil life]] (micro-organisms, plants, animals) and mineral materials within soils ([[biogeochemical cycle]]s).
* '''[[Palaeogeography]]'''<ref name = "DCL"/> is a cross-disciplinary study that examines the preserved material in the stratigraphic record to determine the distribution of the continents through geologic time. Almost all the evidence for the positions of the continents comes from [[geology]] in the form of [[fossil]]s or [[paleomagnetism]]. The use of these data has resulted in evidence for [[continental drift]], [[plate tectonics]], and [[supercontinents]]. This, in turn, has supported palaeogeographic theories such as the [[Wilson cycle]].
* '''[[Coastal geography]]''' is the study of the dynamic interface between the ocean and the land, incorporating both the physical geography (i.e. coastal geomorphology, geology, and oceanography) and the human geography of the coast. It involves an understanding of coastal [[weathering]] processes, particularly wave action, sediment movement and weathering, and also the ways in which humans interact with the coast. Coastal geography, although predominantly geomorphological in its research, is not just concerned with coastal landforms, but also the causes and influences of [[sea level change]].
* '''[[Oceanography]]'''<ref name = "DCL"/> is the branch of physical geography that studies the Earth's oceans and seas. It covers a wide range of topics, including marine organisms and ecosystem dynamics ([[biological oceanography]]); ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics ([[physical oceanography]]); plate tectonics and the geology of the sea floor ([[geological oceanography]]); and fluxes of various chemical substances and physical properties within the ocean and across its boundaries ([[chemical oceanography]]). These diverse topics reflect multiple disciplines that oceanographers blend to further knowledge of the world ocean and understanding of processes within it.
* '''[[Quaternary science]]'''<ref name="UNR"/> is an interdisciplinary field of study focusing on the [[Quaternary]] period, which encompasses the last 2.6 million years. The field studies the last ice age and the recent [[interstadial]] the [[Holocene]] and uses proxy evidence to reconstruct the past environments during this period to infer the climatic and environmental changes that have occurred.
* '''[[Landscape ecology]]''' is a sub-discipline of [[ecology]] and geography that address how spatial variation in the landscape affects ecological processes such as the distribution and flow of energy, materials, and individuals in the environment (which, in turn, may influence the distribution of landscape "elements" themselves such as hedgerows). The field was largely funded by the German geographer [[Carl Troll]]. Landscape ecology typically deals with problems in an applied and holistic context. The main difference between biogeography and landscape ecology is that the latter is concerned with how flows or energy and material are changed and their impacts on the landscape whereas the former is concerned with the spatial patterns of species and chemical cycles.
* '''[[Geomatics]]''' is the field of gathering, storing, processing, and delivering geographic information, or spatially referenced information. Geomatics includes [[geodesy]] (scientific discipline that deals with the measurement and representation of the earth, its gravitational field, and other geodynamic phenomena, such as crustal motion, oceanic tides, and polar motion), [[cartography]], [[Geographic information science|geographical information science (GIS)]] and [[remote sensing]] (the short or large-scale acquisition of information of an object or phenomenon, by the use of either recording or real-time sensing devices that are not in physical or intimate contact with the object).
* '''[[Environmental geography]]''' is a branch of geography that analyzes the spatial aspects of interactions between humans and the natural world. The branch bridges the divide between human and physical geography and thus requires an understanding of the dynamics of geology, meteorology, hydrology, biogeography, and geomorphology, as well as the ways in which human societies conceptualize the environment. Although the branch was previously more visible in research than at present with theories such as [[environmental determinism]] linking society with the environment. It has largely become the domain of the study of environmental management or anthropogenic influences.