Dr. Kubassek János szerk.: A Kárpát-medence természeti értékei (Érd, 2004)
Dr. Dénes Lóczy: Mosaics from the history of fluvial geomorphological research in Hungary
DR. DÉNES LÓCZY MOSAICS FROM THE HISTORY OF FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN HUNGARY hroughout the temperate zone streams are the foremost geomorphic agent. \^Ls When James HUTTON elaborated the concept of uniformitarianism and another Scot, John PLAYFAIR supplied examples to it in 1802. They regarded stream erosion as a most obvious manifestation of the principle of 'small forces acting for a long time'. Thus, in a relatively early period of the evolution of the science of geomorphology (much before the proper significance of glacier action was recognised) evidence was provided for the efficiency of channelled runoff as a geomorphic process. Even today, however, the individual fluvial processes, the origin of various landforms (eg. meanders and terraces) as well as the application of general laws to the particular landscapes all raise a series of questions unanswered till now. The study of fluvial erosion has ever been among the most important tasks of geomorphology in Hungary (PÉCSI, M. et al. 1993). The statement is confirmed by the fact that the most eminent figures of the discipline, Lajos (Louis) LÓCZY Sen., Jenő CHOLNOKY, Béla BULLA, László KÁDÁR, Márton PÉCSI and many others were active in this field of research. It has never been anlysed in detail what is the true significance of their papers and monographs in the history of science. It could be established realistically if a comprehensive evaluation of the history! of geomorphology in Hungary existed or a critical edition of the classic works (cited below) appeared. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In the United Kingdom the world history of geomorphology is treated in a three-volume monograph of more than a thousand pages published thirty years ago (CHORLEY, R. J. - BECKINSALE, R. P. - DUNN, A. J. 1973) and more recently a similar book was issued in the United States (TINKLER, K. J. 1989). But if someone wants to deal with science history in Hungary, beside the origiO^-— m — O INTRODUCTION
