CLASSIFICATION OF ANTHROPOGENOUS RELIEF FORMS WITHIN COASTAL ZONE OF UNTIDAL SEAS IN EUROPE

Abstract

Problems Statement and Purpose. The article defines the intensification of the development of anthropogenic geomorphology as one of the important areas of geographical science in Ukraine. Until now, there is practically no geomorphological classification of anthropogenic relief forms in the coastal zone of the seas and on the coasts in fundamental works. This significantly inhibits the further development of this scientific direction and adversely affects practical factors. Review and analysis of the history of research on the development of anthropogenic geomorphology showed the beginning of the occurrence of anthropogenic relief many centuries ago. But this was addressed by only a few geographers and representatives of the authorities. Only with the advent of machine production and the progress of modern coastal development, geomorphologists recognized a separate morpholithogenesis. Even today, foreign authors generally pay little attention to geomorphological issues of the study of anthropogenic relief on oceanic and sea coasts. Data and Methods. Mainly own experience of geomorphological studies in different European countries was used. Additional material is borrowed from publications of domestic and foreign authors supplemented with illustrations. Synthesis, classification, comparative and geographic as well as cartographic methods are used. Actual illustrative and graphic materials are included. Results. The first attempt to classify the anthropogenic relief on the sea coasts of the non-tidal seas of Europe (Mediterranean, Black, Azov) in several groups is outlined according to purposes: a) port; b) navigational; c) coast guard; d) recreational; e) extractive; f) residential. We also allow the presence of coastal and marine anthropogenic relief forms of other purposes in different regions of the sea coast. Separate geomorphological taxa are distinguished within elementary forms. It was found that within individual groups and types, they are divided into longitudinal and transverse, active and passive, large and small, vertical and horizontal, surface, underwater and complex, purposeful and accompanying, according to the material from which they are built, with natural relief and without him, ancient and modern. Some few taxa and elementary forms can be included in two or three complex forms and assignment groups, which leads to violations of the logical principles of classification construction. But such are the features of not only coastal and marine but also other classifications of anthropogenic relief. The given classification has a generally important theoretical and practical significance in geomorphology: it will contribute to further development of the general theory of anthropogenic geomorphology; will provide a characteristic of various anthropogenic forms necessary during the design and economic development of coasts; will be included in the educational program for the geographic disciplines “Geomorphology” and “Coastal science”, which will relieve geographer students of a false understanding of anthropogenic relief in the system of the coastal and marine environment.