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The detailed geomorphological map in all these cases and in many others, like road site location or the protection of existing structures provide the engineers, planners and other specialists with information that cannot be obtained otherwise. This information facilitates their work and often results in considerable savings because of a better adaption to certain aspects of the natural environment. The risks of catastrophes which occur periodically throughout the world also can be considerably reduced this way.

The detailed geomorphological maps therefore should take their place at equal footing with topographical, geological, soil and engineering maps as basie information for any efficient regional development where use is madę of the recent advancement of science.

The commission on applied geomorphology of the International Geographical Union therefore recommends:

1.    that qualified geomorphologists should be encouraged to join teams in charge of the study of such problems, especially in the technical assistance programme of the United Nations;

2.    that working groups should be organized in every country where the scientific development allows for it, with the aim of carrying out the systematic geomorphological mapping of the country on scales from 1 :10,000 — 1 :100,000. These working groups should aim at meeting the request of organizations engaged in activities for which geomorphological data are necessary. Previous experiences have shown already that the cost of such studies is very Iow as compared to their money-saving effect.

President of the Subcommission    President of the Commission

on Geomorphological Mapping    on Applied Geomorphology

M. KLIMASZEWSKI    J. TRICART