The analysis of the history of geomorphology let one to draw four lessons: 1) the increasing multiplicity of goals is the manifestation of general line in science development: from simple to complex, 2) during its 120 years' life geomorphology has got through 4-5 changes of its priorities; 3) state boundaries do not inhibit the spread of concepts and knowledge, and the paradigm changes in all countries had been taking place simultaneously, 4) initial theory may hold good as the base for later ones.

Long-term series of suspended sediment yield measurements at different gauging-stations of North America, added by analysis of literature, were used for determining the erosion trends during the second half of the XX century. Dynamic of human activities (deforestation, scarifying, changes of sowing structure, erosion control measures, water storage construction) is shown to be the main factor of erosion changes. The impact of human induced processes in different places manifests whether in the erosion acceleration and suspended sediment yield growth, or in their decrease. The changes in sediment discharge and erosion rates due to climatic changes were traced.

Channel-like depressions, wide and shallow depressions of different shape, small ovals with degradations, typical Baer's mounds with adjacent lakes are considered as the members of unique genetic sequence, All these landforms were formed when large amount of water overflowed from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea along the vast plane with little grade. They are analogs of big riverbed ridges, which arise due to macro-scale turbulence of the flow. The Baer's mounds are manifested best within the Volga delta because of their large height, the abrasion during New-Caspian transgression, the washout of the lesser forms and the swamping the between-ridges depressions. The most intensive "bedded" flows took place admittedly during Late Khvalyn transgression.

The application of system methodology to channel process classification is discussed. A regional example of classification is given, based on the loose rock balance changes, which occur during self-development of the flow - channel system in the monsoon mountains, Presence, character and degree of man induced disturbances of the channel processes may be analyzed on the basis of methodic described. The criteria of such disturbances are applicable to ecological prognosis.

A method of evaluation of the vertical channel deformations is put forth. It is based on dependence between Q and H and the level changes independent of Q are taken into consideration. The latter are obtained from gauging-stations data (Terek, Malka, Kuma, Don, Oka rivers).

The density (km/km²) of gully network and characteristic of number of gullies per km² were used for all-round description of gully formation. Authors put forward a new method of gully erosion hazard evaluation based on the comparison of nowadays and prognostic characteristics of gully erosion.

A good deal of geomorphologic GIS-applications is based on digital relief modeling. The calculating of derivative morphometric characteristics, the tracing of structural lines of relief, the compiling its 3-d models including virtual ones are within the capacity of GIS software. The method of map compiling including the case of Internet media is illustrated by series of examples. Those are maps of hazardous processes (natural and man induced) damage on the territory of Russia, maps of ecologic-geomorphology situations within the regions of Russian Federation and other elements of cite "Regional Safety" (http:www.ihst.ru/project-link/rs).

Complex geophysical researches including radiolocation profiling, terrestrial and marine seismic survey fulfilled during the 17-19, 32, 33, 35, 36, 39 and 40^th Soviet (Russian) Antarctic expeditions made is possible to investigate the submarine-subglacial sea bottom relief in the vicinity of Prince Charles Mountains. The schematic geomorphologic map was compiled in the scale of 1:1000000, on the base of the morphogenetic principle. The map includes 6 genetic and 11 morphologic classes of simple surfaces, divided by crest and keel lines, concave and convex kinks. Within the submarine middle-mountains there are deep incised canyons, on the high plain - rare troughs and circles possibly buried by moraines. The Lambert depression has flat bottom and dissected flanges of various slopes. On the whole the submarine-subglacial relief greatly differs from the relief of Pleistocene glaciations.

Altai mountain glaciers are the important indicators of climate variations in the inner part of Eurasia. Analysis of stadia moraines quantity will allow to find out long period temperature and precipitation fluctuations during Late Pleistocene-Holocene if the sufficient number of absolute dates is available. Our researches show the importance of the local oroclimatic conditions for correct estimation of the long-term climate cycles. These conditions have the strong influence on timing, quantity and amplitude of glacier advances. The authors consider the accepted scheme of eight synchronous glacier retreats with 1850-year rhythm inapplicable to Altai glaciers. Now we can study only short period climate fluctuations, juxtaposing them with the modern dynamic of glacier retreats, it is possible due to the permanent monitoring and historical and meteorological data available. The article presents also the Sophysky glacier's retreat velocity data in 20 century. Both historical information and monitoring data were used for this purpose. These monitoring data were obtained during the field researches held by joint Russian-Belgian scientific group in 1997-2000 years. Radiocarbon data have allowed to estimate more precisely the duration of Little Ice Age in Altai. According to this data LIA began in 13^th century but not in 16 ^th as it was considered earlier.

Field research data, including route and stationary data obtained by Research Institute of Soil Erosion and Channel Processes as well as published data were used to analyze the peculiar features of the gully formation under different natural conditions. Four test sites were taken: in the steppe zone, forest-steppe zone, the southern part of the mixed forest zone and tundra zone. The impact of melt-water and storm rainfall was shown, minimal catch basin area necessary for gullies rise was evaluated as in natural conditions and under strong human impact. Simultaneous action of zonal and local factors of gully formation was analyzed.

Александр Иванович Скоморохов (1927-2001)