Acta Geographica Sinica ›› 2009, Vol. 64 ›› Issue (11): 1363-1374.doi: 10.11821/xb200911008

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The Research Forefront of Physical Geography

CAI Yun-long1, LI Shuang-cheng1, FANG Xiu-qi2   

  1. 1. School of Urban and Environmental Sciences,Peking University,Beijing 100871,China;
    2. School of Geography,Beijing Normal University,Beijing 100875,China
  • Received:2009-07-28 Revised:2009-09-08 Online:2009-11-25 Published:2009-11-25
  • Supported by:

    Innovation Method Fund of China, No.2007FY140800-1

Abstract:

The forefront of physical geography research is driven by social needs. The global concern on resources and environment issues and major issues facing sustainable development of China has a series of demands for physical geography. International Geosphere-Biosphere Program, International Human Dimensions Program of Global Environmental Change, World Climate Research Program, Biological Diversity Program and Earth System Science Partnership contain the forefront of physical geography research. China's State Key Basic Research Program, the priority area of development of Earth Sciences Department of National Natural Science Foundation of China, State Science and Technology Support Program etc. have conducted a series of cutting-edge physical geography research. A number of new methods and techniques for physical geography research have emerged in data collection, model simulation, laboratory analysis, studies on physical geographical processes and environmental change and global physical geographical research.

Key words: physical geography, global environmental change, earth system science, natural resources, natural hazard