Fluvial geomorphology and landscape morphology: reconciling concepts across timescales

Abstract

Much of Paul Bishop’s published work can be classified under the heading of fluvial geomorphology. His distinctive approach was to use fluvial evidence to interrogate hypotheses regarding landscape evolution, an effort that inevitably led to reconciling evidence across a range of spatial and temporal scales. Here, examples from Paul’s work are used to demonstrate his methodology and his considerable contributions to current understanding of landscape evolution. River long profiles reveal much about landscape history, although they integrate the effects of multiple boundary conditions and external forcing factors. Empirical, theoretical and modelling studies show how long profiles can be interpreted to address fundamental questions regarding the role of sediment in bedrock river incision and transient behaviour following climate change. The complex nature of transient landscape responses underpins much of Paul’s work, and here examples form the Sierra Nevada, Spain and Namibia are used to illustrate how modern analytical techniques have revolutionised understanding of this transience. An assessment is provided of Paul’s contributions to fluvial geomorphology and the wider discipline of geomorphology as a whole, noting the longevity of his contribution and the considerable impact that his collaborators, particularly his research students, have made, and continue to make.