LIMITATIONS OF THE SYSTEM APPROACH IN GEOMORPHOLOGY

A system is defined as a set of interrelated elements which function together as a whole. For a statistical-mechanical application of system theory, it is assumed that the number of elements is large and that the interrelations are complex so that the individual interactions cannot be followed individually in detail. Under such circumstances, the individual processes can be considered as quasi-random, i.e. as if they were stochastic and, by the use of the limit theorems of probability theory, statements can be made regarding the expected behavior of the system. This approach, however, has its limitations: the assumption that the individual processes are quasi-stochastic does not necessarily hold. There are many instances when the individual processes are uniform and correlated; in this case, they cannot under any circumstances be considered as quasi-random. This applies in geomorphology mainly in connection with structural and (neo)tectonic predesign. The application of system theory in such circumstances leads to faulty results.