Notas y noticias

 

International Association of Geomorphologists
Association Internationale des Geómorphologues
IAG/AIG Newsletter No. 22 (4/2005)
(short version)

First of all let me say that over the last four years, and under the dedicated leadership of Mario Panizza (Italy), the IAG has undertaken some important activities which should continue.

1. The future of the IAG – strategic overview

With regard to the future, in addition to continuing the good work we are already doing, we need to take geomorphology forward in some new directions, and I have selected five collaborative research themes: Landscape conservation; Geomorphological Hazards (the application of geomorphology); Implications of Global Change; The role of geomorphological processes in Earth System Science; Development of Planetary scale studies using the new technologies associated with remote sensing.

 

2. Cooptation of EC members

Following EC members are coopted: Dan BALTEANU (Romania), Monique FORT (France), David HIGGIT (Singapore), Mauro SOLDATI (Italy), Ying WANG (China), Zbigniew ZWOLINSKI (Poland). An effort will be done to coopt a member from Africa, south of the Sahara. A possible candidate is Mohammed UMER from Addis Abeba University, Ethiopia. The Secretary will further enquire.

 

3. Duties of EC members

Franck AUDEMARD: Vice-President, Latin-America Dan BALTEANU: Central Europe Michael CROZIER: Vice-President, Australia, New-Zealand, Oceania, Working Groups Morgan DE DAPPER: Secretary Monique FORT: Western Europe (especially those countries with roman language expression), Middle East, India Andrew GOUDIE: President Francisco GUTTIEREZ: Treasurer Michael SLATTERY: Publications Officer, USA David HIGGIT: Public Relations Officer; South-east Asia Mauro SOLDATI: Training Officer Ying WANG: China Zbigniew ZWOLINSKI: Webmaster

Gaps: German-speaking countries of Western Europe (filled by Lothar SCHROTT, Germany, cf. 11.WG Earth Systems), Northern Europe (filled by Achim BEYLICH, Norway,cf. 11. WG SEDIBUD), North Africa (filled by Mohamed T.BENAZZOUZ, Algeria, cf. 11. WG Geomorphological Hazards ), Africa south of the Sahara (cf. 2.), Indian subcontinent (filled by Sunil Kumar DE, India, cf. 11. WG Geomorphological Hazards), Meso-America (filled by Irasema ALCANTARA-AYALA, Mexico, cf. 11. WG Geomorphological Hazards )

 

4. Financial policy

It was reported that there was currently 62 000 Euro in the account of the IAG, but the President pointed out that c 32,000 Euros had come from royalties associated with the Encyclopedia of Geomorphology, and this was a once and for all contribution. He pointed out that the IAG had substantial expenditure on Working Groups, Training Courses, and EC meetings. He suggested that the IAG should improve its income from publications, and noted that the Handbook of Geomorphology (edited by Basil Gomez and others) might bring in c. 9000 Euros.

 

5. Website

Zbigniew ZWOLINSKI, Past and new Webmaster, reports: The membership database is ongoing but the response is low and slow. A new call will be launched.

 

6. Training of young geomorphologists

Mauro SOLDATI, Past and new Training Officer, reports: During the past quadriennium young geomorphologists (mostly from less favoured countries) were supported, enabling them to take part in training courses, symposia and regional/international conferences. The EC unanimously agrees to continue this effort.

 

7. Publications

Publications are very important for the IAG. Wiley' contribution is declining, but the Cambridge University Press is keen to expand. The following suggestions were made:

• WG on Global Change, edited by Olav SLAYMAKER

• WG on Hazards, edited by Irasema ALCÁNTARA-AYALA

• Handbook/Recipe on 'Applied Geomorphology' including legal issues

• Glossary of Geomorphology for students, hardcopy, multilingual (English, French, Spanish)

• Biographies (cf. Dorothy SACK's 'History of Geomorphology'), Andrew GOUDIE's extensive archive of photographs could be included

• A book of major world landform sites, edited by Piotr MIGON.

8. Newsletter

A more efficient way of diffusion is necessary. Michael SLATTERY will consult the Past Publication Officer Carol HARDEN.

 

9. Scientific Meetings

• 2006, Mongolia. Joint International Meeting on 'Environmental Changes and Earth Surface Processes in Semiarid and Temperate Areas'

• IAG Regional Conferences: 2006, September, Goiâna, Brazil: Franck AUDEMARD will attend; 2007, June, East Malaysia; 2007, July, Svalbard Archipelago, Spitsbergen, Norway; 2008, April, Israel; 2008, September, Braºov, Romania

• 2008, International Geological Conference, August 5^th-14^th , Oslo, Norway. It is proposed that Monique FORT prepares a programme with session.

• 2008, UNESCO & IUGS, International Year of Planet Earth

•2009, IAG International Conference, Melbourne, Australia

 

10. Working Groups

• Continuing WG's: Geoarcheology: Eric FOUACHE (France), Large Rivers: Avijit GUPTA (UK), Geomorphological Sites: Emmanuel REYNARD (Switzerland), Arid Regions: Yang XIAOPING (China)

• New WG's: SEDIBUD, Sediment Budgets in Cold Environments: Achim BEYLICH (Norway); Rocky Coasts Geomorphology: Wayne STEPHENSON (Australia); Carpatho-Balkan-Dinaric Regional Working Group: not yet defined; Human Impact on the Landscape: DénesLÎCZY (Hungary); Small Catchments: Andrzej KOSTRZEWSKI (Poland); Earth Systems: Lothar SCHROTT (Germany); Geomorphological Hazards: IrasemaALCÁNTARA-AYALA (Mexico), Sunil Kumar DE (India), Mohamed T. BENAZZOUZ (Algeria); Global Change and Geomorphology : Olav SLAYMAKER (Canada).

 

11. World Heritage Sites

The IAG will cooperate with The World Conservation Union (IUCN, www.iucn.org) on this. An ad hoc commission (a call for active members has to be launched; Denys BRUNSDEN (UK), Piotr MIGON (Poland), Michael CROZIER (New-Zealand), Andrew GOUDIE (UK) are ready to take part) will formulate a Top-20 of landscapes to be protected.

 

Editor's Note

The success of the IAG/AIG Newsletter depends upon the contributions that we receive. Please assist by sending commentaries, reviews of regional or national meetings and field trips, summaries of issues pertinent to geomorphology, and announcements of future meetings and workshops. Your contributions should be forwarded to the IAG/AIG Publications Officer:

Mike Slattery, Institute for Environmental Studies and Department of Geography, PO Box 298830, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth TX, 76129, USA. Fax (817) 257-7789; Phone (817) 257-7506; E-mail: m.slattery@tcu.edu

 

International Association of Geomorphologists