Nature and Extent of Human Geomorphological Impact – A Review

Abstract

The importance of human society as a geomorphological agent is indicated by the fact that at least one-third of the Earth’s continental surface is the scene of human activities. The amount of earth moved during and by different activities seems to be the most proper index to measure human impact on the Earth’s surface. The different estimations suggest that anthropogenic processes are the dominant geomorphological factors. Potential human impact on the surface is basically determined by contemporary technical development level and population number. The most useful model suggested so far for quantification of potential anthropo-geomorphological impact is Nir’s ‘index of potential anthropic geomorphology’ (I pag)-based ‘the degree of development’ and ‘the degree of perception’ concerning the rate of human impact and perception of the damage from anthropogenic processes, respectively. This anthropic geomorphological model can be regarded as a pioneer attempt; however, some details of the concept are debated and call for further refining and renewing modifications.