geomorphic systems

Open systems where the energy of operation comes from outside, and moves across, the system boundary. Changes in inputs will produce changes in outputs; hence, any change in energy or mass causes the processes and their statistically related landforms to adjust in order to maintain a balance in the system. The geomorphic systems approach emphasizes the intimate relationship between process and form, stresses the multivariate nature of geomorphology, and reveals that some landforms may not be in balance because they owe their character to relict conditions; for example, glaciated landforms.