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Informationen zum Autor Andrew Goudie is Professor of Geography at the University of Oxford and a former Pro-Vice Chancellor. He is holder of the Royal Geographical Society's Founder's Medal and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society's Mungo Park Medal. He is a Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford. His previous books include The Human Impact 5e (Blackwell, 1999), The Human Impact Reader (Blackwell,1997) , The Earth Transformed (Blackwell, 1997), and The Changing Earth (Blackwell, 1995). He is co-editor of The Students Companion to Geography (Blackwell, 1992) and The Dictionary of Physical Geography 3e (Blackwell, 2000) Klappentext The fourth edition of this highly acclaimed text provides an up-dated examination of the natural environment of the earth at various levels, from the global to the local. Integrating the study of geomorphology, climatology, hydrology, pedology and biogeography, it considers the ways in which we both mould and are moulded by our landscape and environment. The book also presents an historical perspective, and investigates natural climatic changes, hazardous events and human impacts. This new edition follows the same successful framework of earlier editions, with extra material, including an extra chapter on The Organic World. In addition, a list of key concepts has been added at the end of each chapter and the book now also includes points for review. With substantially more "windows", updated and expanded guides to reading, new plates, diagrams, and tables, and up-to-date examples and case studies, this fourth edition of Nature of the Environment will be welcomed by students and teachers alike. Please visit the accompanying website at: http: //www.blackwellpublishers.co.uk/goudie to view sample material from both the new edition and forthcoming instructor's manual online. Zusammenfassung Offers an examination of the natural environment of the earth at various levels! from the global to the local. Integrating the study of geomorphology! climatology! hydrology! pedology and biogeography! this book considers the ways in which we both mould and are moulded by our landscape and environment. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface. Acknowledgements. Part I: The Global Framework: . 1. Global Geological Background. The Ancient Earth. Core, Mantle and Crust. The Nature of the Ocean Floors. The Surface of the Land. Earthquakes. The Shape of the Continents. The Question of Plates. Microplates and Exotic Terraces. The Earth's Rock Types. The Subdivisions of the Earth's History. Conclusions. Key Terms and Concepts. Points for Review. Further Reading for Chapter 1. 2. Global Climatic Background. A Vertical Profile Through the Atmosphere. Global Climate. World Patterns of Precipitation. World Patterns of Temperature. The Major Climatic Zones. The Hydrological Cycle. Ocean Currents. Ocean Atmosphere Interactions. Climatic Change. Causes Long-Term Climatic Change. Sea-Level Changes. Future Climates. Conclusions. Key Terms and Concepts. Points for Review. Further Reading for Chapter 2. 3. The Organic World. Major Vegetation Types. Human Modifications of Major Vegetation Types. Floral Realms. Faunal Realms. The World's Great Soil Orders. Human Modifications of Soil. Climatic Geomorphology: The Influence of Climate, Soil and Vegetation. Key Terms and Concepts. Points for Review. Further Reading for Chapter 3. Part II: Major World Zones: . 4. Cold Environments. Polar Climates. Vegetation and Wildlife. Glacier Types. The Formation ...
