Geomorphology in works of outstanding Russian geographer Georgy Vysotsky (1865–1940)

V. P. Chichagov

doi:10.31857/S0435428121020036

Geomorphology in works of outstanding Russian geographer Georgy Vysotsky (1865–1940)

V. P. Chichagov

https://doi.org/10.31857/S0435428121020036

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Abstract

Georgy Vysotsky, outstanding Russian geographer, is remembered by his valuable contributions in the development of physical geography, soil science, geobotany, forestry, forest restoration, hydrology, climatology, hydrogeology and zoology of Russia. G.N. Vysotsky’s scientific views was influenced by Vasily Dokuchaev, a giant figure of Russian geography, who’s main principle was to study nature as a single and undivided whole looking at it through the eyes of geographer. Vysotsky was a talented scientist and a no less talented practical worker who taught how nature could be changed to fully fit the interests of man. However, his contribution to geomorphology have not been fully studied and summarized yet. This article fills the gap: it contains and analyzes his original cartographic geomorphological materials: a map of the river basins of the European part of Russia, detailed orographic map of the Ergeni, a map of precipitation, winds and air humidity in July; a summary map of resultant winds of Ukraine; a map of combination of the soil and relief plans of the Sarepta district, a map of dry steppes of European Russia as well as the geobotanical profile across the eastern slope of the Ergeni. Georgy Vysotsky created a series of new scientific terms that are widely used today: illuviy (illuvium), mikrorelief (microrelief), plakor (flat interfluve), impulverizatsia (saltation), psevdofibry (dense horizons), desuktsia (desuction), permatsidnye pochvy (percolative regime of soils), digressia (pasture digression), demutatsia (pasture restoration), areny (arenas), ekotop (ecotope), etc.

Keywords

outstanding geographer, follower of Dokuchaev, soil and vegetation cover, geomorphological descriptions, morphology of watersheds, structure of a network of valleys and gullies, microrelief, overbrowsing

About the Author

V. P. Chichagov

Institute of Geography RAS
Russian Federation

Moscow

References

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Review

For citations:

Chichagov V.P. Geomorphology in works of outstanding Russian geographer Georgy Vysotsky (1865–1940). Geomorfologiya. 2021;52(2):107-116. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31857/S0435428121020036