climato-genetic geomorphology

Climato-genetic geomorphology, or climatic morphogenesis, is a theoretical framework that links climate, geomorphic processes, and landforms. It posits that specific climates foster dominant geomorphic processes, leading to characteristic landforms. This concept, first proposed by Julius Büdel, suggests that climate is a more significant factor in landform development than rock type, as rock resistance is influenced by climate.1

Modern landform theory acknowledges that landforms result from the interaction of climate, rock type, and physical processes. Climate defines the nature of geomorphic processes, such as ice-related processes in cold regions and fluvial processes in warm-wet regions. These processes, acting over geological time, shape the landscape, which is also influenced by tectonic mechanisms and denudational systems.123