The geomorphic cell: a basis for studying connectivity.
- Author(s)
- Ronald Pöppl, Anthony Parsons
- Abstract
Any attempt to measure connectivity within a system requires a set of entities to be defined that permit the connectivity among them to be quantified. Here we propose the geomorphic cell as such an entity. We provide a means to identify these cells, define a terminology for describing cell state, and identify the pathways of connections (connecteins) to and from cells. We conceptualize the geomorphic cell as being a three-dimensional body of the geomorphosphere, which is delimited from neighbouring cells and neighbouring spheres by different types of boundary. Vertically, the upper boundary of a geomorphic cell is defined by the atmosphere, while the lower boundary is generally formed by the bedrock layer of the lithosphere. Laterally, geomorphic cells are delimited from neighbouring cells with a change in environmental characteristics that determine hydro-geomorphic boundary conditions (e.g. geology, soils, topography and/or vegetation).
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Geography and Regional Research
- External organisation(s)
- University of Sheffield
- Journal
- Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
- Volume
- 43
- Pages
- 1155-1159
- No. of pages
- 5
- ISSN
- 0197-9337
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4300
- Publication date
- 12-2017
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 105404 Geomorphology
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geography, Planning and Development, Earth-Surface Processes, Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/8c38725d-5d88-45b1-bb94-74700159bdea