Introduction to the thematic issue: “From Geosites to Geomorphosites: how to decode the landscape? Geodynamic processes, surficial features and landforms, past and present environments”

Abstract

Engineering geomorphology (levees and canals, banks calibration, rectification of river beds, drainage, irrigation...) and process geomorphology (mechanical and/or chemical erosion) and their general effects on landforms development (levelling of mountains, alluvial fans, deltas...), were briefly discussed from antiquity (Ellenberger, 1988) but did not really emerge before the Renaissance period, for example in the context of land use planning in the Po Valley (Baulig, 1950). These general co...