Abstract Just as geomorphology evolved from a predominantly descriptive science to largely quantitative, a new framework for geomorphology is again required as rapidly increasing human population pushes anthropic-geomorphic processes to a dominant role in the Anthropocene. Understanding these processes requires new conceptual frameworks, interdisciplinarity, and a strong technology-assisted approach. We propose a focus on the Critical Zone as a useful conceptual framework in studies of Anthropocene geomorphology. Prior studies have assessed the Anthropocene with a focus on soils, which are generally considered the unifying thread of the Critical Zone. The Critical Zone in its entirety, however, extends from the top of the canopy to the base of the groundwater system. This concept thus permits a systems approach to geomorphology across scales, addressing the extensive role of human impact on Earth surface processes. Changing climatic conditions impact the delivery of water to the Critical Zone, causing an expansion of arid lands. Land-cover alteration is decreasing infiltration, armoring surfaces, increasing surface runoff, enhancing erosion rates, and is expected to expand in the future. Thus, the benefit of using the Critical Zone as a lens to study geomorphology will result in a broad, unified interdisciplinary study of the Anthropocene. These studies can be aided by modern technology, including drones and machine-learning applications. The trend toward technology-driven studies will continue throughout the geosciences, and geomorphology will be well-aided by its use. We present a comprehensive review of the concept of the Anthropocene and the Critical Zone making a case for the necessity of a Critical Zone-approach to anthropogeomorphology.

中文翻译：

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人类地貌学在人类世关键地带研究中的扩展作用

摘要 正如地貌学从主要的描述性科学演变为主要的定量科学一样，随着人口的快速增长推动人类地貌过程在人类世中占据主导地位，地貌学再次需要一个新的框架。理解这些过程需要新的概念框架、跨学科性和强大的技术辅助方法。我们建议将重点区域作为人类世地貌学研究中一个有用的概念框架。先前的研究以土壤为重点评估了人类世，土壤通常被认为是临界区的统一线索。然而，整个临界区从树冠顶部延伸到地下水系统的底部。因此，这个概念允许跨尺度地貌学的系统方法，解决人类影响对地球表面过程的广泛作用。不断变化的气候条件影响向关键区域输送水，导致干旱土地扩大。土地覆被改变正在减少渗透，保护表面，增加地表径流，增加侵蚀率，预计未来会扩大。因此，使用临界区作为研究地貌学的镜头的好处将导致对人类世的广泛、统一的跨学科研究。这些研究可以得到现代技术的帮助，包括无人机和机器学习应用。技术驱动研究的趋势将继续贯穿整个地球科学，地貌学将因其使用而受益匪浅。