Geography and the Anthropocene
Morphological Changes, Land Use and Land Cover Changes
Topçu Ahmet ErtekWhen shaping human-created landforms, we cannot directly intervene in orogenic movements, epeirogenic movements, volcanism, seismic movements, or other internal factors. Therefore, we can only take protective and some preventative measures against these movements, which are categorized as tectonism. However, in terms of indirect and direct effects, it is typically easier to interfere with external factors such as rivers, glaciers, winds, waves, and ocean currents. When we consider all the natural factors and processes, humans continue to wittingly and deliberately alter two-thirds of the world. It is clear that these changing needs will continue for the foreseeable future.
Similarly, the impact of human society should be examined separately. The large number of branches available can make classification very complex. In a hierarchical solution, the main types of social activity are first identified and then subdivided. Over the past decade, articles have been written about morphological changes, land use and land cover changes. The subject of anthropogenic geomorphology is divided, according to Szabo (Szabó, 2010), as follows: (1) mining, (2) industrial impact, (3) urban development, (4) traffic, (5) water management, (6) agricultural activities, (7) war and terror, and (8) sports and tourism.
The subject of Morphological Changes, Land Use and Land Cover Changes is the reason people have wanted or needed to changes their environment. However, these changes exponentially increased after the end of World War II. In countries that have planned this in a timely manner in line with the concepts of urban and regional development plans, the problems tend to be fewer and solutions more attainable. However, in developing countries, these problems continue to increase or compound day by day. It is clear that due to lack of space, rapid population growth, population density, and political issues, humanity will need to continue to seek new and innovative solutions either under the Oceans or on different planets. Because of climate change, natural disasters, urbanization, sea level changes, wars, migration, epidemics, droughts, and famine, humanity will continue to survive on earth with greater difficulties and greater challenges.
