CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Orwin, J.F.
Date : 2005.
Title : Exploring geomorphic processes in glacial environments: the role of instruments and statistics.
Publication : J. Ross Mackay Award Lecture. Meeting of the Canadian Geomorphology Research Group, in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Geographer. Tuesday, May 31 to Saturday, to June 4, 2005. University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
Issue :
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Abstract
A fundamental issue facing researchers working in glacial environments is accurate characterization and measurement of geomorphic processes that vary in space and time. Research over the last two decades has shown that short-term storage and release of sediment in the proglacial area may control suspended sediment yield patterns from glacierized basins. Characterizing this control accurately has been limited by the cost of establishing spatially distributed networks of gauging stations that provide high frequency temporal records of suspended sediment. However, recent advances in technology have allowed researchers to develop low-cost instruments designed specifically for measuring proglacial suspended sediment transfer patterns. Installation of suites of these instruments has led to new insights into short-term spatial and temporal sediment transfer patterns in the proglacial area. Access to high frequency temporal records has also spurred novel applications of statistical techniques to extract and characterize differences in geomorphic processes, without degrading temporal precision. Statistical techniques are also being applied in new ways to analyze geomorphic processes in glacial environments on longer timescales. An example is novel applications of statistical techniques to lichen datasets taken from complex moraine suites to map and date glacier fluctuations. These data are key to understanding both glacier dynamics and climate change. Although most high resolution spatial and temporal datasets are currently confined to specific case studies, continued development of low-cost instrumentation, longer term monitoring and new applications of statistical techniques to geomorphic problems should increase our understanding of geomorphic processes and their effect on landscape change.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology