Which field of study focuses on mapping landforms, erosion, and geological features?

The field of study that focuses on mapping landforms, erosion, and geological features is geology. Geology involves the analysis and interpretation of Earth's physical structure, the materials that compose it, and the processes that shape it over time. This discipline is essential for understanding various geological features such as mountains, valleys, and sedimentary structures, as well as the forces that contribute to erosion and landscape evolution.

In geology, researchers utilize various mapping techniques and tools, including geographic information systems (GIS), to create detailed representations of geological formations and assess changes in the landscape due to natural processes like erosion. This focus on physical characteristics and changes in the Earth's surface makes geology distinctively positioned to address questions related to landforms and geological phenomena, differentiating it from the other fields mentioned.

The other disciplines do relate to aspects of the environment and natural resources but do not center specifically on the mapping and study of landforms and geological features in the same way that geology does. For instance, engineering typically applies scientific principles to design and construct structures, forestry focuses on the management of forested areas, and ecology studies interactions between organisms and their environment.