Department of Physical Geography
Head
Matej Lipar, Ph. D.
Main Research Themes
About
The Department of Physical Geography deals with Earth's physical features and processes. It focuses on the study of the surface landforms and the processes that shape them (geomorphology), karst landforms and processes (karstology), the study of rocks and sediments (geology), the study of snow cover and ice bodies including glaciers and ice caves (cryosphere science) , analysis of past and present atmospheric patterns and phenomena (palaeo-climatology) and distribution and characteristics of flora and fauna based on topography (biogeography).
Dynamic processes such as erosion, landslides, avalanches, floods and seismic activity that constantly shape and change the Earth's surface can also cause damage in some places. Therefore, the Department for Natural Disasters also operates within the framework of physical geography, whose basic orientation is prevention of natural disasters, and the work includes scientific analysis of natural disasters, consideration of the causes and consequences of natural disasters, and the study of society's ability to deal with them, especially from the point of view of adaptation and flexibility.
The basic elements of physical geography also support the growth and development of human geography. Namely, the physical landscape significantly dictates the population of areas and land use, whilst at the same time, knowledge about the physical landscape and the interconnection of natural processes is a basis for sustainable development and environmental protection.
The research covers a wide range of fieldwork including mapping, water, rock and sediment sampling, monitoring of cave climate, cave and surface ice bodies, and erosion and denudation. The study also covers a wide range of laboratory work, within which the Physical Geography Laboratory operates in the premises of the Barje Research Station. Last but not least, the study also covers the versatile use of geographic information system (GIS) tools, whereby the work of the department is strongly intertwined with the Department of Geographic Information System.
The department was founded on October 14, 1994 as the Department of Geoecology, and was renamed to Department of Physical Geography in 2002. The first head of the department was Dr Mauro Hrvatin, and from 2008 to 2022 Dr Matija Zorn. From 2022 onwards, the head of the department is Dr Matej Lipar.
