- Email: [email protected]
Landscape ecology-geomorphology
352
his work is at once cultural and political. Second, it is laudable that Duncan incorporates not just the interpretations of the powerful groups in the Kandyan kingdom, namely the ‘kingly’ readings and the contestatory readings of the nobles, but he also attempts to analyse the common people’s interpretations. This is particularly commendable, given that he is working within a historical perspective where the common people’s voices are not always heard. In fact, most historical material records the narratives and perspectives of the powerful and dominant groups in society. Duncan therefore attempts to give a voice to the common people. However, the difficulty of writing ‘people’s history’ is illustrated in this work. As Duncan acknowledges, “there are very few scraps of direct evidence of the common people’s views of the king’s building program” (p. 17 1 ). Consequently, he relies on a series of ritual texts that were performed during the Kandyan period which had been collected by Obeyesekere ( 1984). Giddens’ ( 1976 ) problem of ‘double hermeneutics’ is intensified in such a context, and Duncan would do well to acknowledge that he is “explicating explications”, to use Geertz’s ( 1973) term. While in general, Duncan does an interesting job with bringing together the different symbolic readings, his analysis of the symbolic content of Kandyan landscapes is sometimes burdened by his concern with drawing linguistic analogies: the identification of tropes in the form of synecdoches, metonyms, similies, allegories and so forth. For example, when he suggests that the lake in Kandy is a synecdoche for the Ocean of Milk in Hindu thought, the linguistic analogy reveals little of what the lake
LANDSCAPE ECOLOGYGEOMORPHOLOGY Landscape Ecology-Geomorphology by Heinrich Rohdenburg, CATENA-Verlag, D-3302
actually symbolises. It is only when he explores the symbolic meanings without the linguistic baggage that the parallels become clear. In fact, it seems possible to achieve the goal of uncovering ideological content without the semiological superstructure. In general, the risk of getting caught up with identifying the landscape and buildings too literally as language and texts is great, and can result in attempts to establish the grammar of space, while forgetting what should be the main concern: uncovering the ideological meanings of landscapes. Despite some of its problems, the book is a welcome addition to the increasing literature within ‘new’ cultural geography (Cosgrove and Jackson, 1987). At the same time, it is sufficiently broad to be of significant cross-disciplinary interest, reaching across the social sciences to sociologists, anthropologists, historians and students of politics alike. REFERENCES Cosgrove.D. and
Jackson, I’., 1987. New directions in culturalgeography. Area. 19 (2): 95-101. Cieertr. C., 1973. The Interpretation of Cultures. Basic Books. New York. Ciecrtz. C.. 1980. Negara: The Thealre State in Nineteenth Century Bali. Prtnceton University Press. Princeton. NJ. Method. Giddens. A.. 1976. New Rules of Sociological Hutchinson. London. Obeyesekere. G.. 1984. The Cult ofthe Goddess Pattini. IJnlbersity of Chicago Press. Whcatley, P.. I97 I. The Pivot of the Four Quarters: a preliminary inquiry into the origins and character of the Chinese city. Aldine. Chicago. IL.
Cremlingen-Destedt, Germany, 1989, 200 DM 44.OO/US$ 28.00. paperback, PP.7 ISBN 3-92338 1- 15-8. As Margot
Rohdenburg
points
out in the
353
preface, this book not only aims to present the theoretical reasonings of the geomorphological thoughts of its author, but also to establish the basis for a geoecological approach to the study of landforms as tridimensional indicators of landscape structure. Of the various directions existing for the development of landscape ecology, one of those that has caused most enthusiasm is that which aims to study the functioning of ecosystems at landscape level, through the knowledge of the flows of matter and the energy which regulates them and of the structural arrangement of the biotic and physical factors controlling the flows (Golley, 1987). It is within this conceptual framework that Rohdenburg’s work may be seen. In the author’s opinion, landscape ecology should examine the balance of matter and energy and biotic communities within a distinct spatial unit. After identifying the most relevant points in common between land relief and landscape ecology, Rohdenburg proposes a way of overcoming the historical dichotomy which exists between morphogenesis, as studied by classical geomorphology, and ecology for a more integral vision in which both fields of research complement and stimulate each other. Consequently, this new form of geomorphology should aim to study the processes, not just those which act nowadays and so may be measured more easily, but also the processes which operated in the past under environmental conditions different from those of the present. The methodology proposed for this study includes: the analysis of processes, based on a systematic conception of landscape dynamics; the analysis of substrata, as records which facilitate the interpretation of processes and environments in the past; and the description of the land surface morphology. Unfortunately, the sudden death of the author prevented him from finishing the study he had planned to carry out based on these initial ideas, so this book is no more than the first draft and odd notes for the book. Nevertheless,
the book’s structure remains true to the original layout although it obviously lacks the figures, diagrams and examples which would undoubtedly have enhanced the presentation of the theories and hypotheses displayed in the book. They would also have made it easier for those interested in landscape and its dynamics, but who are not experts in geomorphology, to read. The book is laid out in two distinct sections. The first of them, comprising Chapters l-10, sets out the various theories, hypotheses and theoretical models, the intellectual tools which allow one to analyze the dynamics and generation processes of the land forms. Although in the introduction the author refers to three forms of analysis, as a result of his limited knowledge of the analysis of processes, the other two forms of analysis, stratigraphic analysis and land surface analysis, predominate in the book. In the first chapters, which focus on periglacial and fluvial domains, the author sets out some of the more outstanding hypotheses and theories of his concept of climatogenetic geomorphology. He infers, by considering the drainage-slope systems as an essential component of the landscape, a series of theoretical models based on the processes of mass movement and surface runoff. After the theoretical models and the functioning of the processes which control them (Chapters 2 and 3) have been established, the remaining chapters of the first part analyze the effects of tectonics, base level variation, the differences of resistance and of the bedrock weathering rate. The book also studies separately the climatic cycles in the genesis and evolution of the landscape, as well as the effect of the interaction between the tectogenetic cycles of base level variation and climatic cycles which occur with different frequencies. Rohdenburg then develops regional landscape models for different climatic zones which differ from the theories put forward by Btidel. He bases his models on some of his more
354
widely known ideas and hypotheses on morphodynamic systems such as the existence of various stages: stable, active and partially active periods, in a geomorphodynamic system within a climatic cycle, linked to both climatic variation and to feed-back relationships existing between vegetation, weathering and morphodynamics; or the elaboration of the principle of intensity selection to explain the discrepancy between the number of climatic cycles deduced from a stratigraphic analysis of the sediments and of the edaphical series and those reflected by the existence of denudation forms. While for Biidel there exist priority mechanisms which construct the morphology and characteristics of each climatic zone, the system proposed by Rohdenburg deduces that this morphological differentiation is the result of the combination of different processes and of their different intensities. An example of the differences between Biidel’s climatogenetic system and the one proposed in the book is to be found in Chapter 1 1, which studies the geomorphological analysis of wet-dry tropics. This analysis is the only example of what would have formed the second part of the book. According to the author, in his introduction, this second part would have studied the application of intellectual tools to landscape interpretation in diverse climatic domains. Before finishing this short review of the posthumous work of H. Rohdenburg, mention must be made of his achievements within the field of earth sciences. Quite apart from his
merit as a geomorphologist of great breadth with wide practical experience in almost all the climatic zones of the world and a great versatility in the methods of research, as shown by the extensive bibliography quoted in the book part of which is commented on by the author himself, he was most noted for his emphasis on the interdisciplinary focus in the study of geomorphology and soil science. This focus is reflected both in his most recent research projects, especially the one entitled “Water and matter dynamics in Agro-Ecosystem” as well as in the philosophy which impregnates the journal CATENA, which he founded and edited until his death. As Rohdenburg himself said, he did not want CATENA to become just another review on soil science or another geomorphology review, but rather he wanted it to follow this interdisciplinary approach. The success and prestige that has accompanied this review since 1971 are a guarantee that these objectives have been achieved.
LANDSCAPE
tional Congress of Ecology held in Syracuse, NY, USA, where the International Association of Landscape Ecologists was invited to organize a symposium and plenary lecture. The resulting book consists of a very diverse array of 14 papers arranged into four sections, each introduced with a short piece by the editors. The sections are entitled: Evolving Approaches;
ECOLOGY
Changing Landscapes: an Ecological Perspective, I.S. Zonneveld and R.T.T. Forman (Editors), Springer, New York, 1990, 286 pp., DM 142.00, ISBN 3-540-97 102-5. This book
springs
from
the 1986 Interna-
VICTOR
CASTILLO
REFERENCES Biidel, J.. 197 I Das natiirliche System der Geomorphologie mit Krittschen Gangen zum Formenschatz der Tropen. Wiirzburger Geogr. Arbeitcn 34, 152 S, Wiirzburg. Galley. F., 1987. Introducing landscape ecology. Landscape Ecol., I: 1-3. Kohdenburg. H., 1989. Methods for the analysis of Agro-Ecosystems in central Europe. wrth emphasis on geoecological aspects. CATENA. 16: l-57.
his work is at once cultural and political. Second, it is laudable that Duncan incorporates not just the interpretations of the powerful groups in the Kandyan kingdom, namely the ‘kingly’ readings and the contestatory readings of the nobles, but he also attempts to analyse the common people’s interpretations. This is particularly commendable, given that he is working within a historical perspective where the common people’s voices are not always heard. In fact, most historical material records the narratives and perspectives of the powerful and dominant groups in society. Duncan therefore attempts to give a voice to the common people. However, the difficulty of writing ‘people’s history’ is illustrated in this work. As Duncan acknowledges, “there are very few scraps of direct evidence of the common people’s views of the king’s building program” (p. 17 1 ). Consequently, he relies on a series of ritual texts that were performed during the Kandyan period which had been collected by Obeyesekere ( 1984). Giddens’ ( 1976 ) problem of ‘double hermeneutics’ is intensified in such a context, and Duncan would do well to acknowledge that he is “explicating explications”, to use Geertz’s ( 1973) term. While in general, Duncan does an interesting job with bringing together the different symbolic readings, his analysis of the symbolic content of Kandyan landscapes is sometimes burdened by his concern with drawing linguistic analogies: the identification of tropes in the form of synecdoches, metonyms, similies, allegories and so forth. For example, when he suggests that the lake in Kandy is a synecdoche for the Ocean of Milk in Hindu thought, the linguistic analogy reveals little of what the lake
LANDSCAPE ECOLOGYGEOMORPHOLOGY Landscape Ecology-Geomorphology by Heinrich Rohdenburg, CATENA-Verlag, D-3302
actually symbolises. It is only when he explores the symbolic meanings without the linguistic baggage that the parallels become clear. In fact, it seems possible to achieve the goal of uncovering ideological content without the semiological superstructure. In general, the risk of getting caught up with identifying the landscape and buildings too literally as language and texts is great, and can result in attempts to establish the grammar of space, while forgetting what should be the main concern: uncovering the ideological meanings of landscapes. Despite some of its problems, the book is a welcome addition to the increasing literature within ‘new’ cultural geography (Cosgrove and Jackson, 1987). At the same time, it is sufficiently broad to be of significant cross-disciplinary interest, reaching across the social sciences to sociologists, anthropologists, historians and students of politics alike. REFERENCES Cosgrove.D. and
Jackson, I’., 1987. New directions in culturalgeography. Area. 19 (2): 95-101. Cieertr. C., 1973. The Interpretation of Cultures. Basic Books. New York. Ciecrtz. C.. 1980. Negara: The Thealre State in Nineteenth Century Bali. Prtnceton University Press. Princeton. NJ. Method. Giddens. A.. 1976. New Rules of Sociological Hutchinson. London. Obeyesekere. G.. 1984. The Cult ofthe Goddess Pattini. IJnlbersity of Chicago Press. Whcatley, P.. I97 I. The Pivot of the Four Quarters: a preliminary inquiry into the origins and character of the Chinese city. Aldine. Chicago. IL.
Cremlingen-Destedt, Germany, 1989, 200 DM 44.OO/US$ 28.00. paperback, PP.7 ISBN 3-92338 1- 15-8. As Margot
Rohdenburg
points
out in the
353
preface, this book not only aims to present the theoretical reasonings of the geomorphological thoughts of its author, but also to establish the basis for a geoecological approach to the study of landforms as tridimensional indicators of landscape structure. Of the various directions existing for the development of landscape ecology, one of those that has caused most enthusiasm is that which aims to study the functioning of ecosystems at landscape level, through the knowledge of the flows of matter and the energy which regulates them and of the structural arrangement of the biotic and physical factors controlling the flows (Golley, 1987). It is within this conceptual framework that Rohdenburg’s work may be seen. In the author’s opinion, landscape ecology should examine the balance of matter and energy and biotic communities within a distinct spatial unit. After identifying the most relevant points in common between land relief and landscape ecology, Rohdenburg proposes a way of overcoming the historical dichotomy which exists between morphogenesis, as studied by classical geomorphology, and ecology for a more integral vision in which both fields of research complement and stimulate each other. Consequently, this new form of geomorphology should aim to study the processes, not just those which act nowadays and so may be measured more easily, but also the processes which operated in the past under environmental conditions different from those of the present. The methodology proposed for this study includes: the analysis of processes, based on a systematic conception of landscape dynamics; the analysis of substrata, as records which facilitate the interpretation of processes and environments in the past; and the description of the land surface morphology. Unfortunately, the sudden death of the author prevented him from finishing the study he had planned to carry out based on these initial ideas, so this book is no more than the first draft and odd notes for the book. Nevertheless,
the book’s structure remains true to the original layout although it obviously lacks the figures, diagrams and examples which would undoubtedly have enhanced the presentation of the theories and hypotheses displayed in the book. They would also have made it easier for those interested in landscape and its dynamics, but who are not experts in geomorphology, to read. The book is laid out in two distinct sections. The first of them, comprising Chapters l-10, sets out the various theories, hypotheses and theoretical models, the intellectual tools which allow one to analyze the dynamics and generation processes of the land forms. Although in the introduction the author refers to three forms of analysis, as a result of his limited knowledge of the analysis of processes, the other two forms of analysis, stratigraphic analysis and land surface analysis, predominate in the book. In the first chapters, which focus on periglacial and fluvial domains, the author sets out some of the more outstanding hypotheses and theories of his concept of climatogenetic geomorphology. He infers, by considering the drainage-slope systems as an essential component of the landscape, a series of theoretical models based on the processes of mass movement and surface runoff. After the theoretical models and the functioning of the processes which control them (Chapters 2 and 3) have been established, the remaining chapters of the first part analyze the effects of tectonics, base level variation, the differences of resistance and of the bedrock weathering rate. The book also studies separately the climatic cycles in the genesis and evolution of the landscape, as well as the effect of the interaction between the tectogenetic cycles of base level variation and climatic cycles which occur with different frequencies. Rohdenburg then develops regional landscape models for different climatic zones which differ from the theories put forward by Btidel. He bases his models on some of his more
354
widely known ideas and hypotheses on morphodynamic systems such as the existence of various stages: stable, active and partially active periods, in a geomorphodynamic system within a climatic cycle, linked to both climatic variation and to feed-back relationships existing between vegetation, weathering and morphodynamics; or the elaboration of the principle of intensity selection to explain the discrepancy between the number of climatic cycles deduced from a stratigraphic analysis of the sediments and of the edaphical series and those reflected by the existence of denudation forms. While for Biidel there exist priority mechanisms which construct the morphology and characteristics of each climatic zone, the system proposed by Rohdenburg deduces that this morphological differentiation is the result of the combination of different processes and of their different intensities. An example of the differences between Biidel’s climatogenetic system and the one proposed in the book is to be found in Chapter 1 1, which studies the geomorphological analysis of wet-dry tropics. This analysis is the only example of what would have formed the second part of the book. According to the author, in his introduction, this second part would have studied the application of intellectual tools to landscape interpretation in diverse climatic domains. Before finishing this short review of the posthumous work of H. Rohdenburg, mention must be made of his achievements within the field of earth sciences. Quite apart from his
merit as a geomorphologist of great breadth with wide practical experience in almost all the climatic zones of the world and a great versatility in the methods of research, as shown by the extensive bibliography quoted in the book part of which is commented on by the author himself, he was most noted for his emphasis on the interdisciplinary focus in the study of geomorphology and soil science. This focus is reflected both in his most recent research projects, especially the one entitled “Water and matter dynamics in Agro-Ecosystem” as well as in the philosophy which impregnates the journal CATENA, which he founded and edited until his death. As Rohdenburg himself said, he did not want CATENA to become just another review on soil science or another geomorphology review, but rather he wanted it to follow this interdisciplinary approach. The success and prestige that has accompanied this review since 1971 are a guarantee that these objectives have been achieved.
LANDSCAPE
tional Congress of Ecology held in Syracuse, NY, USA, where the International Association of Landscape Ecologists was invited to organize a symposium and plenary lecture. The resulting book consists of a very diverse array of 14 papers arranged into four sections, each introduced with a short piece by the editors. The sections are entitled: Evolving Approaches;
ECOLOGY
Changing Landscapes: an Ecological Perspective, I.S. Zonneveld and R.T.T. Forman (Editors), Springer, New York, 1990, 286 pp., DM 142.00, ISBN 3-540-97 102-5. This book
springs
from
the 1986 Interna-
VICTOR
CASTILLO
REFERENCES Biidel, J.. 197 I Das natiirliche System der Geomorphologie mit Krittschen Gangen zum Formenschatz der Tropen. Wiirzburger Geogr. Arbeitcn 34, 152 S, Wiirzburg. Galley. F., 1987. Introducing landscape ecology. Landscape Ecol., I: 1-3. Kohdenburg. H., 1989. Methods for the analysis of Agro-Ecosystems in central Europe. wrth emphasis on geoecological aspects. CATENA. 16: l-57.