73 4.1 INTRODUCTION Starting a chapter by this title implies a lot of explanation to the reader. Terms like ‘geomatics’ and ‘physiognomic landscape research’ promise a wide interest in a diversity of scientific do- mains, especially when the geomatics component is the main focus. In the pioneer stage of conducting physiognomic landscape studies by use of automated proce- dures most scientists discerned the limitation of computer capacities and the availability and accuracy of data. However, they affirm positively the role of computations; geo-information was already mentioned. This chapter surveys the expected role by the key-word geomatics. The geomatics definition evolved for the last decennium into “Geomatics is a field of activity which, using a systematic approach, integrates all the means used to acquire and manage spatial data required as part of scientific, administrative, legal and technical operations involved in the pro- cess of production and management of spatial information. These activities include, but are not limited to, cartography, control surveying, digital mapping, geodesy, geographic information systems, hydrography, land information management, land surveying, mining surveying, pho- togrammetry and remote sensing [url 1]” (Roswell and Tom, 2009). However, the scope of this chapter is narrowed. For that reason the definition of physiognomic research as given in the introduction chapter is a starting point and will be used as a reference. RON VAN LAMMEREN GEOMATICS IN PHYSIOGNOMIC LANDSCAPE RESEARCH A DUTCH VIEW