Fieldwork in Physical Geography

Fieldwork in physical geography is a standard method in the discipline whereby new understandings of physical phenomena can be obtained most clearly. When combined with other comprehensive mapping tools in the geographic information science (GIScience) laboratory, such as digital elevation models and land cover or land shape data derived from satellite imagery, fieldwork becomes a highly robust means to acquire new [Page 1106]interpretations. Surprisingly, however, in the United States at least, the training of students in the techniques of detailed fieldwork in physical geography is rather limited, although it is taught formally in more universities in Canada and in Europe. The chief reasons for this deficit may be the great diversity of geography and the considerable expense of much modern field equipment, coupled with the ...