Abstract:
The chapter reviews landscape evolution models from classical period to date. The classical models include catastrophism and uniformitarianism, some of the early modern era ones are, dynamic equilibrium, geographic cycle, slope replacement and the recent ones are classified as geomorphic transport laws. The classical and early modern models are describe as descriptive because they lack numeric measurements of processes and forms whiles the contemporary models that are more empirical are termed quantitative. The fundamental principles underlying these models, limitations and strengths have been examined. Geomorphology is moving towards the quantitative phase of explaining earth surface processes and landforms because of the need to be predictive of future trends base on findings of past and current studies. However, due to the peculiarity of the discipline, geomorphogists need to work with other environmental and earth scientists to be able to develop models that will be useful and applicable in explaining landscape processes and forms.