Environmental Systems

Fülszöveg

Environmental Systems
An introductory text
Second edition
I.D. White, D.N. Mottershead and S.J. Harrison
This comprehensive treatment of natural environmental systems provides the student
of physical geography or environmental science with a complete introductory text.
Based on the authors' combined teaching and research experience over ten years, it
is an integrated and unified account of systems on all scales from planetary to
molecular.
Using energy flow and mass transfer as unifying themes, the discussion is set in
a thermodynamic perspective. The concepts and terminology of the systems approach
-which now pervades thinking and teaching in the geographical and environmental
sciences - are dealt with in full, although unnecessary jargon is kept to a minimum.
The approach is based on a nested hierarchy of systems in which man - environment
interactions are dealt with in turn but with due respect for the functional connections
within them, between them, and between... Tovább

Fülszöveg

Environmental Systems
An introductory text
Second edition
I.D. White, D.N. Mottershead and S.J. Harrison
This comprehensive treatment of natural environmental systems provides the student
of physical geography or environmental science with a complete introductory text.
Based on the authors' combined teaching and research experience over ten years, it
is an integrated and unified account of systems on all scales from planetary to
molecular.
Using energy flow and mass transfer as unifying themes, the discussion is set in
a thermodynamic perspective. The concepts and terminology of the systems approach
-which now pervades thinking and teaching in the geographical and environmental
sciences - are dealt with in full, although unnecessary jargon is kept to a minimum.
The approach is based on a nested hierarchy of systems in which man - environment
interactions are dealt with in turn but with due respect for the functional connections
within them, between them, and between man and the environment as a whole.
Given that such an approach must be firmly based on sound scientific principles,
essential scientific models, concepts and terms are explained, largely in
which are separated from the text in order to facilitate the use of the book by students
with a variety of academic backgrounds. Line drawings and photographs are
abundant, and the text has a full complement of carefully selected bibliographic
references. It is hoped that students and teachers will find in this book the full and
authoritative exposition of the systems-based scientific foundations of physical
geography and environmental science that introductory courses need.
For the second edition, all chapters have been revised. In part B, there is a new
chapter on the hydrosphere dealing with the effect of the oceans on the energetics
and biochemistry of the planet. The biosphere and ecosphere chapters have been
condensed into one, with more emphasis on the nature of human interference in
biogeochemical cycles. There is a new chapter on aeolian systems (desertification and
the environmental problems of arid and semi-arid lands) and another on coastal
systems. There is more on landscape ecology and climatic change, including the effect
of ozone holes.
Iain White (University of Portsmouth), Derek Mottershead (Edge Hill College of
Higher Education) and John Harrison (University of Stirling) based this text on their
teaching of a first-year course which they shared at Portsmouth Polytechnic. Iain
White specializes in biogeography, Derek Mottershead in geomorphology, and John
Harrison in climatology.
Cover illustration: Valley of Aosta, Snowstorm, Avalanche and Thunderstorm, by Joseph Mallord William
Turner, Collection of The Art Institute of Chicago. Vissza