The dark art of interpretation in geomorphology

Brierley, G., Fryirs, K., Reid, H. and Williams, R. (2021) The dark art of interpretation in geomorphology. Geomorphology, 390, 107870. (doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2021.107870)

Abstract

The process of interpretation, and the ways in which knowledge builds upon interpretations, has profound implications in scientific and managerial terms. Despite the significance of these issues, geomorphologists typically give scant regard to such deliberations. Geomorphology is not a linear, cause-and-effect science. Inherent complexities and uncertainties prompt perceptions of the process of interpretation in geomorphology as a frustrating form of witchcraft or wizardry – a dark art. Alternatively, acknowledging such challenges recognises the fun to be had in puzzle-solving encounters that apply abductive reasoning to make sense of physical landscapes, seeking to generate knowledge with a reliable evidence base. Carefully crafted approaches to interpretation relate generalised understandings derived from analysis of raw data with field observations/measurements and local knowledge to support appropriately contextualised place-based applications. In this paper we develop a cognitive approach (Describe-Explain-Predict) to interpret landscapes. Explanation builds upon meaningful description, thereby supporting reliable predictions, in a multiple lines of evidence approach. Interpretation transforms data into knowledge to provide evidence that supports a particular argument. Examples from fluvial geomorphology demonstrate the data-interpretation-knowledge sequence used to analyse river character, behaviour and evolution. Although Big Data and machine learning applications present enormous potential to transform geomorphology into a data-rich, increasingly predictive science, we outline inherent dangers in allowing prescriptive and synthetic tools to do the thinking, as interpreting local differences is an important element of geomorphic enquiry.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Williams, Professor Richard
• Authors: Brierley, G., Fryirs, K., Reid, H., and Williams, R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Geomorphology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0169-555X
• ISSN (Online): 1872-695X
• Published Online: 22 July 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Crown Copyright
• First Published: First published in Geomorphology 390: 107870
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
303063		Catchment susceptibility to hydrometeorological events: sediment flux and geomorphic change as drivers of flood risk in the Philippines	Richard Williams	Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)	NE/S003312/1	GES - Geography