From physical geography to environmental geography: Bridges and gaps (a French perspective)

This paper provides a clinical analysis of some existing and potential linkages and gaps between physical and environmental geography as currently experienced and represented among the French community of physical geographers. Following a rapid evocation of some relevant historical facts, a first view is expressed that considers environmental geography as a natural downstream extension of physical geography, within a fruitful continuum from basic to applied research (with significant results in fields such as local climatology and process geomorphology). Another viewpoint considers physical geography and environmental geography as enemy sisters, based on a Manichean view opposing a hard physical geography to a soft environmental geography, each with contrasting conceptual frameworks and methodological approaches. Lastly, a number of recent initiatives within the French community of geographers interestingly use environmentally connoted objects to try and reconnect the communities of human and physical geographers. The recognition of the hybrid nature of geography and the development of an inclusive environmental geography might be a wayamong othersto rebuild French geography as a whole and to overcome collectively the nature/culture dichotomy.