Topological Representation of Geocomponents

Abstract

The “geocomponents” as the classical concept of physical geography is rethought from the standpoint of existential topology (one of the concepts of modern poststructuralism). A geocomponent can be represented not only discursively by physical, physicochemical models, categories, concepts, but also purely topologically with the help of certain geometric images. This presentation is non-trivial and is carried out using a special line called ogive. It allows visualize a geocomponent as a multiple type. The hydrocomponent is visualized using a smooth curve, the atmocomponent is a dotted line, the lithocomponent is a polyline with obtuse and acute angles, the technogenic components are visualized by a right angle and a circle, the biota is a graph, the biosocial component is handwriting, the pedocomponent is a composite ogive composed of a horizontal closed contour and a vertical profile. The combination of contour and profile in the soil ogive is provided by its existential properties - care (cultivation) and gift (harvest). The compound character of the soil ogive precedes the physical and metaphysical representation of landscape.