A Physical Geographer Would Likely Not Study

What a Physical Geographer Would Likely Not Study: Delving into the Boundaries of the Discipline

Physical geography, a vibrant and multifaceted field, explores the Earth's physical features and processes. While its scope is incredibly broad, encompassing everything from glaciers to coastlines, there are certain areas of study that fall outside its typical purview. This article delves into those areas, exploring the boundaries of physical geography and highlighting the disciplines that often handle the subjects physical geographers typically avoid. Understanding these limitations helps clarify the unique contributions and focus of physical geography within the broader context of Earth sciences.

Beyond the Earth's Surface: Areas Physical Geographers Typically Don't Explore

Physical geography's core focus lies on the Earth's surface and near-surface processes. This inherently limits its scope to exclude certain areas of study. For instance, you won't find a physical geographer deeply involved in:

1. Astrophysics and Cosmology:

While understanding the Earth's position within the solar system and the influence of celestial bodies (like the sun and moon) on Earth's processes is crucial for some areas within physical geography (like climatology), physical geographers generally don't delve into the origins and evolution of the universe itself. Astrophysics and cosmology, dedicated to studying celestial objects and the universe's structure, are distinct disciplines that require different methodologies and expertise. They focus on scales vastly larger than the Earth's surface.

2. Particle Physics and Quantum Mechanics:

Understanding the fundamental building blocks of matter might seem relevant to understanding Earth materials, but this is largely the realm of particle physics and quantum mechanics. Physical geographers rarely need to grapple with subatomic particles and quantum phenomena to explain geological processes. While the behavior of atoms and molecules influences the properties of minerals and rocks, the level of detail required for research in particle physics is far beyond the typical needs of a physical geography study.

3. Human-Built Environments and Urban Planning:

While the interaction between human societies and physical environments is a major focus within the closely related field of human geography, the design and planning of cities and built environments are typically left to urban planners, architects, and engineers. Physical geographers might study the impacts of urbanization on the physical environment (like urban heat islands or changes in hydrology), but they generally do not directly participate in shaping urban design or infrastructure projects.

4. Pure Mathematics and Theoretical Physics:

Though mathematical modeling is an essential tool in physical geography, the development of new mathematical theories or frameworks is not typically a focus. Similarly, the development of theoretical physics models (like string theory or general relativity), while having broader implications for our understanding of the universe, don't usually fall directly within the scope of physical geographic research. Physical geographers apply existing mathematical and physics concepts to understand the world around them, rather than developing these concepts from scratch.

5. Molecular Biology and Genetics:

The study of living organisms at the molecular level is the domain of molecular biology and genetics. While biological processes (like the role of plants in carbon cycling or the impact of biological weathering) are critical to many areas of physical geography (like biogeography and geomorphology), physical geographers rarely delve into the intricate details of molecular mechanisms. They may incorporate findings from molecular biology, but they don't generally conduct original research in this area.

6. Ancient Civilizations and History (excluding historical geography):

While historical geography explores the relationship between human societies and their physical environment throughout history, the study of ancient civilizations' social structures, political systems, or technological advancements is typically outside the realm of physical geography. Physical geographers may consider the influence of past civilizations on the landscape (e.g., deforestation or irrigation systems), but the civilizations themselves aren't their primary subject of investigation.

7. Economics and Finance:

Economic processes and financial markets have no direct bearing on the core principles of physical geography. While economic activities may impact physical environments (e.g., deforestation due to logging), economists and financial analysts handle the study of economic systems, not physical geographers. The intersection between economics and physical geography occurs primarily in areas like environmental economics and resource management, but these are considered interdisciplinary fields.

8. Sociology and Anthropology:

The study of human societies, social structures, and cultural behaviors falls under sociology and anthropology. While understanding human impacts on the environment is crucial for physical geography, the in-depth study of human cultures and societies themselves is not. The interplay between these disciplines occurs primarily in interdisciplinary fields like human geography, environmental sociology, and cultural ecology.

9. Computer Science and Software Engineering (excluding GIS and Remote Sensing):

While Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing are integral to modern physical geography, the development of new computer software and algorithms is primarily handled by computer scientists and software engineers. Physical geographers use these tools but don't typically create them. Their focus lies in applying the tools to answer geographic questions, not in designing or developing the tools themselves.

The Overlap and Interdisciplinary Nature: Where Boundaries Blur

It's important to note that the boundaries between disciplines are not always absolute. Physical geography often overlaps with other fields, leading to interdisciplinary research. For example:

• Biogeography: Integrates physical geography with biology, studying the distribution of organisms and their interactions with the physical environment.
• Geomorphology: Combines physical geography with geology, focusing on landforms and their evolution.
• Climatology: Blends physical geography with meteorology and atmospheric science, analyzing climate patterns and their changes.
• Hydrology: Integrates physical geography with engineering, studying the movement and distribution of water on Earth.
• Environmental Geography: Combines physical geography with aspects of human geography, ecology, and environmental science, exploring the interactions between human society and the environment.

These interdisciplinary areas showcase the dynamic and interconnected nature of scientific inquiry. Physical geography, while having its core focus, draws upon and contributes to a wider network of related disciplines.

Conclusion: Defining the Distinct Focus of Physical Geography

In conclusion, understanding what a physical geographer would not study helps to better define the field's unique contributions. While the discipline employs principles and techniques from other scientific areas, its primary focus remains on the Earth's physical systems, processes, and features. By avoiding the areas discussed above, physical geographers maintain a clear research focus, leading to a deeper understanding of the planet's dynamic surface and the intricate processes that shape it. The boundaries are not rigid, however, and the ongoing interdisciplinary collaborations enrich the field and broaden our understanding of the complex Earth system.