Which of the following statements are correct about the impact of Darwin on Geographical thought?

A. James Hutton demonstrated the theory of uniformitarianism in landform evolution.
B. Fleure used struggle and selection concept in his studies on races, states and towns.
C. Darwin's work on the origin of atolls and the idea regarding slow transformation of biological species over time, together inspired Davis to develop his own theory of the cycle of erosion.
D. Stoddart stressed the need for physiological study to assess environmental effects on man.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

The correct statements about Darwin’s impact on geographical thought are:

• A. James Hutton demonstrated the theory of uniformitarianism in landform evolution: Correct. Hutton’s theory of uniformitarianism influenced the development of modern geology and had a significant impact on geographical thought by emphasizing gradual change in landscapes over long periods of time.

• C. Darwin's work on the origin of atolls and the idea regarding the slow transformation of biological species over time, together inspired Davis to develop his own theory of the cycle of erosion: Correct. Darwin’s ideas about evolution and gradual change influenced the development of the theory of erosion, particularly the work of William Morris Davis, who proposed the cycle of erosion.

Information Booster:

1. Uniformitarianism suggests that the processes shaping the Earth today have been the same over geological time, a theory introduced by James Hutton.
2. Darwin's theory of evolution profoundly influenced geographical thought by emphasizing gradual and natural changes over time, applied later in theories such as the cycle of erosion.
3. Fleure's work: Although Fleure did apply Darwinian principles to the study of human geography, his ideas were more about societal development rather than the biological principles of struggle and selection.
4. Stoddart’s research was more focused on environmental impacts on human geography rather than Darwinian ideas of biological evolution.

Additional Knowledge:

1. B. Fleure used struggle and selection concept in his studies on races, states and towns: This is incorrect. Fleure’s ideas were influenced by Darwinian concepts, but his use of the struggle and selection concept was more about human societies and geographical features rather than a direct application of Darwin's theory.

2. D. Stoddart stressed the need for physiological study to assess environmental effects on man: Incorrect in the context of Darwin’s work. While Stoddart did contribute significantly to human geography, his focus was more on environmental factors and their effects on humans, but not directly influenced by Darwin’s evolutionary theory.

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