Earth Environments
Past, Present and Future
Published on 9. April 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
912 pages
978-0-471-48533-9 (ISBN)
Description
This book provides a comprehensive coverage of the major topics within undergraduate study programmes in geosciences, environmental science, physical geography, natural hazards and ecology.
This text introduces students to the Earth's four key interdependent systems: the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere, focussing on their key components, interactions between them and environmental change.
Topics covered include: An earth systems model; components systems and processes: atmospheric systems; oceanography, endogenic geological systems and exogenic geological systems, biogeography and, aspects of the Earth's Record.
The impact of climate and environmental change is discussed in a final chapter which draws together Earth's systems and their evolution and looks ahead to future earth changes and environments and various time periods in the geological record.
Throughout the book geological case studies are used in addition to the modern processes.
Reviews / Votes
"A wonderful textbook, and one that many people - outside the primary audience of undergraduate students - will find invaluable as a reference. And the proof of a good reference book is that once you dip into it for a piece of information...you can't help but be waylaid, and end up browsing." (WASWAC, 1 March 2011) "This comprehensive introductory work covers basic information on geology, oceanography, and meteorology/climatology. Huddart and Stott (both, Liverpool John Moores Univ., UK) take a systems approach, and thus focus on the interactions between the major components of the Earth system. The book is divided into six main sections: "Introduction to Earth Systems," "Atmosphere and Ocean Systems," "Endogenic Geological Systems," "Exogenic Geological Systems," "Principles of Ecology and Biogeography," and "Global Environmental Change." Each of the 3 1 chapters is well illustrated with black-and-white and color graphs and a variety of photographic images. Chapters conclude with references for further reading and suggested exercises that can be used to test student comprehension of the material. This clear, concisely written book is more inclusive and extensive than many disciplinary introductory works, and could form the basis for a course lasting at least two semesters. Extensive 17-page subject geographic index." (CHOICE, December 2010) "The strength of this book is that it is an up-to-date summary of the major themes in geosciences, as the blurb on the back cover states. As such, it is an ideal book for students to dip in and out of throughout their undergraduate career alongside other key texts... there are also good reading lists at the end of each chapter". (The Geographical Journal, 4 December 2010)More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
Chicester
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 27.5 cm
Width: 21 cm
Thickness: 4.1 cm
Weight
2400 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-471-48533-9 (9780471485339)
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/2010
Wiley
€142.00
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Content
Introduction.
Section One.
1 Introduction to Earth Systems.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Section Two.
2 Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
3 Energy in the Atmosphere and the Earth Heat Budget.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
4 Moisture in the Atmosphere.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
5 Atmospheric Motion.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
6 Weather Systems.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
7 World Climates.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
8 Ocean Structure and Circulation Patterns.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
9 Atmospheric Evolution and Climate Change.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
10 Principles of Climate Change.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
Section Three.
11 Earth Materials: Mineralogy, Rocks and the Rock Cycle.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
12 The Internal Structure of the Earth.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
13 Plate Tectonics and Volcanism: Processes, Products and Landforms.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
14 Geotectonics: Processes, Structures and Landforms.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
Section Four.
15 Weathering Processes and Products.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
16 Slope Processes and Morphology.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
17 Fluvial Processes and Landform-Sediment Assemblages.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
18 Carbonate Sedimentary Environments and Karst Processes and Landforms.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
19 Coastal Processes, Landforms and Sediments.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
20 Glacial Processes and Landsystems.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
21 Periglacial Processes and Landform-Sediment Assemblages.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
22 Aeolian (Wind) Processes and Landform-Sediment Assemblages.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
Section Five.
23 Principles of Ecology and Biogeography.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
24 Soil-forming Processes and Products.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
25 World Ecosystems.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
Section Six.
26 The Earth as a Planet: Geological Evolution and Change.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
27 Atmospheric Evolution and Climate Change.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
28 Change in Ocean Circulation and the Hydrosphere.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
29 Biosphere Evolution and Change in the Biosphere.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
30 Environmental Change: Greenhouse and Icehouse Earth Phases and Climates Prior to Recent Changes.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.
31 Global Environmental Change in the Future.
Learning outcomes.
Exercises.
References.
Further reading.