W poszukiwaniu geokompleksów

Abstract

In all fields of science, which develop dynamically, methodological issues are regarded as most important. In complex physical geography (landscape ecology) many terms used have several meanings and various definitions. Landscape is the chief example of such an unclear term. For some geographers landscape is a physiognomic or structural concept, for others its has connotations with appearance only. Landscape, being the main object of the research, ought to be defined precisely, and it is proposed that it should be treated as physiognomic aspect of a geocomplex. Using a term in a consistent way is another important issue. Terminological chaos and lack of precision necessary in research result often from the borrowing of a term and changing its meaning without defining it. In the Polish scientific literature, in the field of complex physical geography (landscape ecology), a discussion on objectivity of the existence of geocomplexes has begun recently. In the author's opinion geocomplexes of a particular taxonomic rank are factual and they can be delineated on the basis of criteria adopted in accordance with their definitions. Other geocomplexes based on optionally chosen criteria are not always real. Sometimes they are objects of mental constructions of researchers (like in the experiment made by M. Pietrzak). This is shown in a landscape map, which is always the result of dividing of the geographical space.

Artykuł jest głosem w dyskusji toczącej się od wielu lat na temat przedmiotu badań geografii fizycznej kompleksowej, obiektywnego istnienia jednostek przestrzennych - geokompleksów oraz terminologii tej dyscypliny geografii. Nadal wydaje się, że dyskusyjnym terminem jest krajobraz. Autorka uznaje stosowanie tego terminu dla oznaczania fizjonomii jednostki przestrzennej, a dla określenia chorostruktury i etostruktury rezerwuje pojęcie geokompleksu lub traktowanego jako synonim - geosystemu. Jednocześnie opowiada się za uznaniem obiektywnego istnienia geokompleksów. Innym poruszanym zagadnieniem jest poprawność terminologii stosowanej przez polskich geografów.