Tools of a Geographer
I’ve written a little about the Ways of the Geographer and also what Geographers do. I’ve also put together a baby Treatise of Geography and reworked a classic Primer on Fieldwork. And that’s where I’d start: fieldwork. IMHO fieldwork of any kind is THE Geographer’s tool. Describing the earth requires being IN it...and fieldwork makes that happen.
But, if I had to list more conventional tools, first on my list would be my field journal/notebook. This serves to record everything I do, observe, and analyze in the field. Second would be my digital camera—to capture those phenomena I am observing and analyzing.
After those, more specialized tools might appear in my cache based on what I intend to study. Depending on the situation (“human” or “physical”), I might use any or all of: passport, GPS unit, clinometer (to measure slope and angle), altimeter, thermister, soil knife, soil bulk density sampler, soil “test” kit, soil auger, flash drive, string, measuring tapes, IR thermometer, solarimeter, old maps, new maps, historical photos/documents, governmental documents, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, rock hammer/pick, hand lens, binoculars, digital voice recorder, archeologist brushes, spectral radiometer, Munsell color book, Ziploc baggies/sample storage units, nuclear densometers, calipers, and flashlight.
Whatever I take—for either environment—goes into a backpack. And, of course, there’s the requisite food, snacks, and beverages, those along the way and those in situ.
But there are many more tools Geographers use—the above list is far from exhaustive. For example, back in the lab, to analyze my findings, I might use a computer, a microscope, GIS & remote sensing software, statistical programs (MiniTab anyone?), SEM (scanning electron microscope), and even other colleagues.
One of the great things about being a Geographer is how adaptable we can be. If, for example, we want to study something about the planet Mars, we might have to learn a little astrophysics and planetary geology…and that’s just fine! Likewise, if we need to video tape our interviews with people to help us understand their sense of place, we need to know interview protocols as well as documentary filming techniques…and that’s super!
In a nutshell, the “C” answer to “What tools do you use as a Geographer” would be whatever tool is needed to complete the research at hand. And if we call in an expert in another field to help us, all the better!
