1.1 Different landscapes and landforms

Landforms of varying sizes and shapes, when taken together, are referred to as a landscape. Landscapes can be seen and studied on topographic maps. There are many different types of landscapes, including but not limited to:

  • coastal landscapes
  • riverine landscapes
  • arid landscapes
  • mountain landscapes
  • karst landscapes.

Landforms within each landscape have distinctive features. In downstream riverine landscapes, for example, landforms will include a channel, possibly a levee, and a flood plain or terrace.

Some landforms, like the arid zone dunes found in the Arabian Peninsula or central Australia, are very large and can extend for hundreds of kilometres. Other landforms, like individual pedestal rocks shaped like an anvil or mushroom, are generally small and reach only a metre or so in height. Geographers and others try to explain these differences in size, shape and grouping of landforms.

Source 1.3 An example of a coastal landscape at Rottnest Island, Western Australia
Source 1.3 An example of a coastal landscape at Rottnest Island, Western Australia
Activity 1.1
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  1. Distinguish between a landform and a landscape.
  2. List the types of landforms found in riverine landscapes.
  3. Select another type of landscape (for example, a coastal or arid landscape) and list the types of landforms you may find.

Suggested responses

Key learning 1.1

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Read section 1.1 and respond to the questions below.

  1. Describe the following:
    1. a  landform
    2. b  landscape
  2. Define the following:
    1. a  coastal landscape
    2. b  riverine landscape
    3. c  arid landscape
    4. d  mountain landscape
    5. e  karst landscape
  3. Use the internet to find two pictures of each of the above landscapes and identify the characteristics that relate to each landscape.

Suggested responses
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Key learning 1.1 suggested responses

Read section 1.1 and respond to the questions below.

  1. Describe the following:
    1. A landform is the individual surface features of the Earth identified by its shape, e.g. dunes, plateaus, canyons, beaches, plains, hills, rivers, valleys etc.
    2. A landscape is an area created by a combination of geological, geo-morphological, biological and cultural layers that have evolved over time, e.g. riverine, coastal or urban landscapes.
  2. Define the following:
    1. a strip of soil between the mainland and the sea.
    2. a landscape that is associated with rivers.
    3. a dry or parched area often refers to regions such as desert
    4. a natural upward projection of the earth's surface, higher and steeper than a hill and often having a rocky summit
    5. a landscape that is characterised by numerous caves, sinkholes, fissures, and underground streams.
  3. Student responses will vary.
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Activity 1.1 suggested responses

  1. A landform is a naturally formed feature on the Earth’s surface with distinctive characteristics – for example, a floodplain is low-lying ground adjacent to a river. They can be identified by their shape. A landscape is an area of land created by a combination of geological, geomorphological, biological and cultural layers that have evolved over time. Landscapes incorporate different geographic characteristics and activities, such as flora and fauna, human land uses, climatic conditions and physical features.
  2. Types of landforms in riverine environments may include rivers and tributaries, channels, floodplains, levees, meanders, waterfalls, rapids, oxbow lakes, river mouths and deltas.
  3. Types of landforms in:
    • Coastal landscapes – cliffs, dunes, beaches, bays, headlands, estuaries, inlets, wave-cut/rocky platforms, caves, arches, stacks, sandbars, spits, tombolos, berms and coastal plains.
    • Arid landscapes – mesas, canyons, dunes, buttes, alluvial fans, salt flats, badlands and wadis.