Nature and scope of physical geography

Physical geography is considered as the accumulation of different branches of earth science. For example – Climatology, Science of ocean and seas i.e. Oceanography, Science of plants i.e. Botany etc. Thus, it includes consideration of surface relief of the globe. Different geographers have defined physical geography in different ways.
        According to Tarr and Von Engeleh, “Physical geography is the study of physical features of the earth and their influence on men.”
        In the words of Lobeck, “The study of physical environment along contributes physiographic.”
        According to Strahler, “Physical geography is the study of unification of a number of earth sciences.”
        Thus, it will include the study of all physical elements and factors in physical geography which provide suitable habitats for the living organisms of biosphere. Physical geography also studies the spatial pattern and spatial relationship of environmental components of the globe in original context. It also studies the causes of original patterns of such spatial relationship.



Scope of physical geography

The scope of physical geography includes the study of earth relief features and physical features, such as plains, mountains, hills etc. the emergence of areas branches into physical geography such as Geomorphology, Climatology, Oceanography, Biogeography, etc made the scope of physical geography quit extensive. The subject matter of all those branches is considered as the scope of physical geography.

Geomorphology

Geomorphology is an important branch of physical geography. It is concerned with the scientific study of the origin and evolution of relief features of the earth surface. The word Geomorphology derived from three Greek words, i.e., ‘geo’ means earth, ‘morph’ means shape and ‘logos’ means study. Hence Geomorphology is defined as the scientific description of various landforms.
        According to Worcester, “Geomorphology is the interpretation, description of the relief features of the earth surface.”
        Geomorphology is the systematic analysis of the origin, evolution and present pattern of earth relief features. Geomorphology can be dividing into three sub-divisions, those are – a) Structure, b) Process, c) Classification and evolution of landforms. Structure, process and evolution are all dynamic.

Climatology

It deals with the study of the atmospheric components and their characteristics. It includes the systematic and regional studies of the atmospheric conditions, i.e., weather and climate.
         Weather refers to the atmospheric conditions in terms of temperature, pressure, humidity, and precipitation etc. of a particular place at any given time.
         On the other hand, climate is related to weather conditions of any region in long term perspective. However, climate is different from weather with respect to time and space.
         The study of the characteristics of both weather and climate and their influence on human activities are included in the study of physical geography.

Oceanography

Oceanography includes the description and analysis of physical and biological aspect of hydrosphere. The study of marine resources and their biological characteristics is included under oceanography which is an important branch of physical geography.
         The study of seas and oceans and their characteristics of marine eco-system and their interaction with hydrospheric environment are studied under the scope of physical geography.


Biogeography

Biogeography is defined as the study of distribution of plants and animals and their relationship with environment. It comprises of two branches, i.e.,                              a) Phytogeography (study of plants distribution).
                          b) Zoo geography (study of animal’s distribution and        their relationship with their relationship).
         Thus, biogeography is the study of distribution of both plants and animals. It also includes a study of all components of the physical environment, such as land, water, air etc. which constitute the habitat of plants and animals.