| Module Identifier |
GG31220 |
| Module Title |
DRYLAND GEOMORPHOLOGY |
| Academic Year |
2002/2003 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr Stephen Tooth |
| Semester |
Semester 2 |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | 20 Hours 10 x 2 hours |
| |
Seminars / Tutorials | 2 Hours 1 x 2 hours |
| Assessment |
Semester Exam | 2 Hours Written examination | 50% |
| |
Semester Assessment | Essay: 2500 word assessed essay | 30% |
| |
Semester Assessment | Seminar Presentation: 10 minute seminar presentation | 10% |
| |
Semester Assessment | Report: 750 word seminar report | 10% |
| |
Supplementary Assessment | Resubmission of failed coursework component(s) and/or resit of failed end of semester examination.
No resit for seminar presentation available, original mark for presentation will be carried forward. | |
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to :-
-
assess how the relative and the absolute importance of different geomorphological agents (e.g. surface water, groundwater, wind) vary within and between the worlds' dryland regions
-
evaluate how these geomorphological agents have responded, and will continue to respond, to natural and anthropogenically-induced environmental changes.
Brief description
1) The context for dryland geomorphology
Drylands: definition, nature, extent and importance
Climatic and geological frameworks
2) Weathering forms and processes
Weathering agents: insolation, moisture, salt
Weathering products: soils, crusts and varnishes
The role of vegetation
3) Fluvial forms and processes
Slopes and pediments
Alluvial fans and gullies
River channels and floodplains
Wetlands, pans and playas
4) Aeolian forms and processes
Aeolian bedforms, dunefields and sand seas
Aeolian dust
5) Dryland regions: extensions, contractions and change
Cenzoic environmental changes
Human impact and future changes
Aims
This module is designed to enable students to gain a conceptual and factual understanding of the major landforms and processes in the worlds' extensive dryland regions, including an appreciation of how these forms and processes respond to environmental changes.
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Thomas, D.S.G. (Ed.). (1997)
Arid Zone Geomorphology: Process, Form and Change in Drylands. 2nd. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons ISBN 04-7197610-5
** Consult For Futher Information
Abrahams, A.D. and Parsons, A.J. (Eds). (1994)
Geomorphology of Desert Environments. London: Chapman and Hall ISBN 0-412-444801
Cooke, R.U., Warren A. and Goudie, A.S. (1993)
Desert Geomorphology. London: University College London Press ISBN 18-5728017-2
Cooke, R.U., Warren, A. and Goudie, A.S. (1993)
Desert Geomorphology. London: University College London Press (pbk). ISBN 18-5728016-4
Singhvi, A. and Derbyshire, E. (Eds). (1999)
Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction in Arid Lands. New Delhi: Oxford and IBH publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 90-5410710-3