Age Quote by William Morris Davis
“Once established, an original river advances through its long life, manifesting certain peculiarities of youth, maturity and old age, by which its successive stages of growth may be recognized without much difficulty.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Geographical Cycle by William Morris Davis, 1911
Rivers develop through stages—youth, maturity, old age—each with distinct traits that allow easy identification of their developmental phase.
In simple terms: Rivers age like living beings.
Key Takeaway
Observe natural patterns of growth.
Themes
nature
process
life cycles
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
scientific
educational
When to use this quote
- environmental planning
- river restoration
- educational curricula
- landscape photography
Key Concepts
geomorphology
ecology
systems theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify a river’s stage in the field?
- What factors might blur these stage boundaries?
A Different Perspective
Human classification can oversimplify complex river dynamics.
