(NOTE: Each chapter concludes with a Chapter Summary, Key Terms,
Review Questions, and Some Useful References.)
1. Introduction to Earth.
Geography as a Field of Learning. In this Book. The Environmental
Spheres. The Solar System. The Size and Shape of Earth. The
Geographic Grid. Earth Movements. The Annual March of the Seasons.
Telling Time.
2. Portraying Earth.
The Nature of Maps. The Role of Globes. Map Projections. Automated
Cartography. Isolines. The Global Positioning System. Geographic
Information Systems. Remote Sensing. The Role of the
Geographer.
3. Introduction to the Atmosphere.
Composition of the Atmosphere. Vertical Structure of the
Atmosphere. Human-induced Atmospheric Change. Weather and
Climate.
4. Insolation and Temperature.
The Impact of Temperature on the Landscape. Solar Energy. Basic
Processes in Heating and Cooling the Atmosphere. The Heating of the
Atmosphere. Spatial and Seasonal Variations in Heating.
Temperature: A Measure of Heat. Mechanisms of Heat Transfer.
Vertical Temperature Patterns. Global Temperature Patterns.
5. Atmospheric Pressure and Wind.
The Impact of Pressure and Wind on the Landscape. The Nature of
Atmospheric Pressure. The Nature of Wind. Vertical Variations in
Pressure and Wind. The General Circulation of the Atmosphere.
Modifications of the General Circulation. Localized Wind
Systems.
6. Atmospheric Moisture.
The Impact of Atmospheric Moisture on the Landscape. Water Vapor
and the Hydrologic Cycle. Evaporation. Measures of Humidity.
Condensation. The Buoyancy of Air. Precipitation. Global
Distribution of Precipitation.
7. Transient Atmospheric Flows and Disturbances.
The Impact of Storms on the Landscape. Air Masses. Fronts.
Atmospheric Disturbances.
8. Climatic Zones and Types.
Climate Classification. World Distribution of Major Climatic Types
and Subtypes. The Global Pattern Idealized.
9. The Hydrosphere.
The Nature of Water: Commonplace but Unique. The Hydrologic Cycle.
The Oceans. Permanent Ice. Surface Waters. Underground Water.
10. Cycles and Patterns in the Biosphere.
The Impact of Plants and Animals on the Landscape. The Geographic
Approach to the Study of Organisms. Biogeochemical Cycles. Food
Chains. The Search for a Meaningful Classification Scheme.
Ecosystems and Biomes. Environmental Relationships.
11. Terrestrial Flora and Fauna.
Natural Distributions. Terrestrial Flora. Terrestrial Fauna. The
Major Biomes. Human Modification of Natural Distribution
Patterns.
12. Soils.
Soil and Regolith. Soil-forming Factors. Soil Components. Soil
Properties. Soil Chemistry. Soil Profiles. Pedogenic Regimes. Soil
Classification. Global Distribution of Major Soils. Distribution of
Soils in the United States.
13. Introduction to Landform Study.
The Unknown Interior. Composition of the Crust. Some Critical
Concepts. The Study of Landforms. Internal and External Geomorphic
Processes. The Question of Scale. The Pursuit of Pattern.
14. The Internal Processes.
The Impact of Internal Processes on the Landscape. Crustal
Rearrangement. Plate Tectonics. Vulcanism. Diastrophism. Folding.
Faulting. The Complexities of Crustal Configuration.
15. Preliminaries to Erosion: Weathering and Mass
Wasting.
The Impact of Weathering and Mass Wasting on the Landscape.
Weathering. Mass Wasting.
16. The Fluvial Processes.
The Impact of Fluvial Processes on the Landscape. Some Fundamental
Concepts. Stream Systems. Stream Channels. The Shaping and
Reshaping of Valleys. Stream Rejuvenation. Theories of Landform
Development.
17. Solution Processes and Karst Topography.
The Impact of Solution Processes on the Landscape. Solution and
Precipitation. Caverns and Related Features. Karst Topography.
Hydrothermal Features.
18. The Topography of Arid Lands.
A Specialized Environment. Running Water in Waterless Regions.
Ergs, Regs, and Hamadas. The Work of the Wind. Two Characteristic
Desert Landform Assemblages.
19. Glacial Modification of Terrain.
The Impact of Glaciers on the Landscape. Glaciations Past and
Present. Types of Glaciers. How Glaciers. How Glaciers Form.
Continental Ice Sheets. Mountain Glaciers. The Periglacial
Environment. Are We Still in an Ice Age?
20. Coastal Processes and Terrain.
The Impact of Waves and Currents on the Landscape. Coastal
Processes. Coastal Landforms.
Appendix I: Families of Map Projections.
Appendix II: Topographic Map Symbols.
Appendix III: The Weather Station Model.
Appendix IV: Meteorological Tables.
Appendix V: The International System of Units (SI).
Appendix VI: The Soil Taxonomy.
Appendix: Geoscience Animations.
Appendix: Relevant Internet Sites.
Glossary.
Index.
The only text to focus thematically on landscape appreciation, this best-seller fosters a solid understanding of Earth and its physical geography.
"There is much to recommend this text. It is beautifully produced which makes it a delight to read. There are copious full-colour diagrams. Each chapter is finished with summary, key terms, questions and references. In addition to this, the book also has a series of animations on CD. These are extremely high quality animations which allow some of the more difficult aspects to be explained easily. Overall, this is a highly competent text with much to recommend it. Illustrations and CD are outstanding. ...the book represents a great resource for those needing to know more." Dr Paul S Ganderton, the Teaching Ecology Group's Book Review Editor
Ask a Question About this Product More... |