APPLIED FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY Where have we come from, where do we go? Roger TJ Phillips Mariëtte Pushkar and Peter Ashmore
Value of Geomorphologists in River Management Start with Historical Geology and Scientific Roots Placed in Context of Interdisciplinary Applications What are your views? Natural Channels Geomorphology Survey
HISTORICAL ROOTS Young
The Quantitative Revolution 1964 20 th Century Quantitative Revolution Six components, Orme (2013) 1. Quantitative, statistical 2. Process geomorphology 3. Theory (equilibrium, thresholds) 4. Plate tectonics 5. Climate change 6. Geochronology
Applied Fluvial Geomorphology 1997 2010 Recognizing geomorphologists?
obsession with longer time scales Adapted from Church (1996)
Geography of 222 Respondents Ontario 66% Quebec Eastern Southern Maritimes US International BC Prairies Northern International 5% United States 10% British Columbia 9% Prairies 5% Ontario 66% Northern 4% Southern 59% Eastern 3% Quebec 5% Maritimes 1%
Background of 222 Respondents Other Environmental Technical Private Municipal CAs Biology Engineering University Fed/Prov Geoscience Government 41% Municipal, CAs 28% Federal, Provincial 13% University 24% Faculty 18% Students 6% Private Sector 31% Other (NGO, Retired) 4% Biology 16% Engineering 23% Geoscience 45% Environmental 12% Science, Planning Technical, Other 4%
Education and Training of 222 Respondents Geomorphology Expertise and Training Training in Stream Restoration
Standards of Practice 25% 28% 23% Scientific knowledge is well represented in applied geomorphology practice. 20% 32%
Responsibility for Standards of Practice
Qualified Geomorphologist Education Work Experience Short Courses?
65% Agree 66% Agree 19% Neutral 18% Neutral 15% Disagree 15% Disagree Geomorphology work regulated as professional geoscience? Qualified Geomorphologist accredited as P.Geo.?
Percent Practitioners by Profession
Professional Geoscience (P.Geo.) Knowledge Requirements Foundation Science Group 1: Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Statistics Foundation Geoscience Group 2A: Geology, Sediment and Stratigraphy, Field Techniques Group 2B: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology, Geomorphology Additional Geoscience Group 2C: Earth Systems, Environmental Assessment, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geomorphology, Quaternary Geology Value of Geoscience Advanced geomorphic interpretation, watershed impacts, erosion hazards
obsession with longer time scales Adapted from Church (1996)
Comments Moving Forward Recognizing geomorphologists Roots in historical geology and geography, with scientific and interdisciplinary focus obsession with longer time scales! Advanced interpretation needs advanced geoscience training (e.g., erosion hazards) Regulating geomorphologists Support for regulating geomorphology work and professional accreditation (P.Geo.) Geoscience B.Sc. M.Sc. 4 years experience Re-Visioning standards of practice We have a lot of work to do! Regulated professional associations Natural Channels Initiative
Please Comment! APPLIED FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY: Where have we come from, where do we go? Roger TJ Phillips, Mariëtte Pushkar, and Peter Ashmore
Natural Channels GEOMORPHOLOGY Survey PRELIMINARY RESULTS Published October 6, 2016 Applied fluvial geomorphology: Where have we come from, where do we go? Roger T.J. Phillips 1, 3 Mariëtte T.H. Pushkar 2 Peter E. Ashmore 1 1 Department of Geography, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada 2 Ecosystem Recovery Inc., Waterloo, Ontario, Canada 3 Aquafor Beech Limited, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada 249 RESPONSES Natural Channels GEOMORPHOLOGY Survey (Phillips, Pushkar, Ashmore, 2016) Page 1 of 5
BACKGROUND (249 RESPONSES) Natural Channels GEOMORPHOLOGY Survey (Phillips, Pushkar, Ashmore, 2016) Page 2 of 5
GEOMORPHOLOGY STANDARDS OF PRACTICE (249 RESPONSES) The responsibility for developing and maintaining standards of practice for natural channel systems is a collective obligation. Examples of geomorphology work where standards of practice are most applicable include, but are not limited to, erosion assessments and sediment transport, erosion hazards (e.g., meander belts, slope stability), stream morphology monitoring targets, and stream restoration design. Natural Channels GEOMORPHOLOGY Survey (Phillips, Pushkar, Ashmore, 2016) Page 3 of 5
QUALIFIED GEOMORPHOLOGISTS AND PROFESSIONAL GEOSCIENCE (249 RESPONSES) Recognizing that some geomorphology work may be completed without advanced qualifications, including by supervised technical staff and specialists from other fields of science and engineering, advanced geomorphology work may be identified as requiring a 'Qualified Geomorphologist'. The potential requirement of professional accreditation (e.g., P.Geo.) is also considered in this survey. Natural Channels GEOMORPHOLOGY Survey (Phillips, Pushkar, Ashmore, 2016) Page 4 of 5
APPLIED FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY CHECKLIST (249 RESPONSES) Survey of major types of geomorphology work completed for 'Natural Channel' systems. Natural Channels GEOMORPHOLOGY Survey (Phillips, Pushkar, Ashmore, 2016) Page 5 of 5