Physical geography is includes the study of the earth spheres. Geographers usually working on geomorphology, climatology and biogeography. Why they don't work mostly in oceanography ?
Oceanography includes all 4 verticals namely physical, chemical, geological and biological oceanography. I think that physical geographers are not very comfortable with the biological part like species diversity, marine biology, their adaptation etc.
Actually as a BioGeographer when doing my training in the field Oceanography is classified as apart of Geography, Geology, Marine Biology and has large elements of Physics and Chemistry. So Oceanography woukd actually fall under Physical Geography so far as if you are looking at the spatial temporal, geomorphological and ecological aspects of things. The 2 arent completely independent of each other. The 2 disciplines overlap. It maybe that you have met more Geographers who rather work on land than sea especially seeing Marine Biologist tend to utilize alot of skills from and developed withing the field Geography like GIS mapping of ocean floors using sonar tech, mesuring tides and wave action etc.
Jasem A Albanai I believe there are two factors. The firts is related to the fact the Geography is a science that seeks to study the relationship between society and nature, most of this relationship is more visible on land. The second reason, i believe, is related to the little contact that graduation courses in Geography provid their students with elements of Chemistry and Marine Biology essential for studies in Oceanography.
Physical geography can mainly understand the various landforms found above the surface or their construction method with good understanding. Whereas for the study of oceanography, a geographer should have a very good knowledge of chemistry so that he can study the biotic / abiotic elements (flora, fauna, coral bleaching) found inside the ocean properly. Then he can understand the oceanography in a better way. Therefore a physical geography does not feel comfortable in even reading or working on oceanography.
Yes it is true that there is still a vast scope to work on life under the water, that is the part of Biological features of Oceanography. Most of the works are concerned with the geological or hydrological parts of Oceanography. May be it is due to the area of research interest. Jasem A Albanai
Physical geographers indeed study various Earth spheres, focusing on geomorphology, climatology, and biogeography. While their expertise spans multiple disciplines, they generally don't work predominantly in oceanography due to specialization, academic training, research funding and opportunities, distinct research tools, and the natural emphasis on terrestrial processes. Nevertheless, physical geographers often collaborate with oceanographers and other scientists on interdisciplinary projects that explore the interconnectedness of land and sea.