The landscape as a geosystem

Abstract

The main object of study of geography is the landscape sphere that includes the surface of our planet. The landscape sphere differs from the other geospheres by displaying unusual complexity and consists of structured sets of components which exhibit discernible relationships with one another and operate as a system. The functioning of the landscape sphere is conditioned by the interrelationships of components, as well as by the transfer of mass and energy from one part of the landscape sphere to another in the form of streams of mobile elements. The author is using the name geosystem for determination of this system of planetary dimensions. The landscape sphere may be further divided into subsystems exhibiting characteristic features which facilitate their identification and delimitation.Territorial differentiation of the landscape sphere, on the basis of the law of zonality, produces horizontal, latitudinal and vertical zones called by author geoms. These geoms may be further subdivided into geosystems of smaller dimensions called geochoras. The basic geochora is the landscape. In most landscapes the key elements in these geosystems are controlled by Man and so-called cultural landscapes are developed. The cultural landscapes are parts of the landscape sphere within which natural and socioeconomic geosystems co-exist. The author further distinguishes cultured, disturbed and devastated landscapes. The study of cultural landscape is amongst the most difficult fields of investigation, but such studies are of great significance in terms of predicting future environmental developments.