Towards a complex Geosystem: theoretical and operational articulations supported by research cores and networks

Abstract

Geosystems, as a theoretical, methodological and applied concept, are constantly mentioned in the geographic debate related to landscape and environmental studies, notably from the French and/or Russian-Soviet references and with emphasis on publications by Georges Bertrand and Viktor Sochava. However, albeit beneficial for studies of the physical environment, such debate in Brazil faces a struggle in acknowledging social dynamics as an integral part of geosystems, given the fact that social issues are still addressed as anthropic impact. This scenario, coupled with the fact that practical studies outnumber theoretical ones, has not allowed a more significant epistemological contribution to the society-nature dialogue promoted by integrated Physical Geography. This context leads to questions about the directions and hurdles of said theme in Brazil, as it points to the need for another way of understanding the theme, one that does not address society and nature as an antagonistic pair.  The debate proposed here relates national and foreign legacies on the theme with a view to helping develop a conceptual reframing of geosystems. In this regard, the present study understands that a discussion on the possible contribution of research cores and networks formation among geography graduate programs in Brazil can favor this process of conceptual reframing.  From a brief recognition of Brazilian academic publications on the theme and a concatenation method grounded on the theory of complexity, this study embodies a dialogical nature, rethinking the direction of the national geosystemic research, based on the conceptual proposition of a “complex geosystem”.