Research subjects
Physical geography is a broad field of science on the earth's physical and biological phenomena, their properties, processes, patterns and interactions with humans.
We study linked physical, chemical, biological, geological, environmental and societal processes and changes in the world's land areas and their water, ice and geological formations, climate systems and ecosystems, in relation to each other and to human societies.
Our research and education include: spatial analyzes of phenomena and their development over time; area studies of different places and regions; studies of relationships and complexity in linked natural-social systems; and studies of global change and the Earth system as a whole. The studies deal with, for example, changes in land formations, glaciers and permafrost, ecosystems and biodiversity, soil, water and other natural resources and environmental aspects, as well as their interactions with the climate and various societal developments, such as urbanization.
We research in a number of different specific areas and run a research station, Navarino Environmental Observatory (NEO) in Messinia, Greece.