Arid zones, deserts Books
Penguin Random House South Africa The Living Deserts of Southern Africa
Book SynopsisFor generations, the deserts of southern Africa have intrigued scientists and travellers alike. Seemingly barren wastes, they in fact teem with life – from ants to elephants, stone plants to the curious welwitschia, dainty dik-diks to towering gemsbok, and cart-wheeling spiders to fog-basking beetles. How do they cope with scarce resources, unpredictable rainfall and extreme temperatures? How do they protect themselves against predators? And what is the impact of climate change on these life forms and their habitats? Drawing on an earlier edition, published in 1993, biologist Barry Lovegrove answers these questions and unravels many of the mysteries associated with life in the desert. He describes the four arid biomes of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana – Desert, Arid Savanna, Succulent Karoo and Nama-Karoo – and explains how and why such a great diversity of plants, insects, mammals, reptiles and birds successfully exist in these regions. The text is supported by the most recent research, spectacular photographs, and explanatory diagrams and maps. The Living Deserts of Southern Africa is a compelling, in-depth read that is accessible to both the serious student and academic as well as the interested nature lover. Sales points: A fully revised and updated edition of a classic text (1993) on southern Africa’s desert zones; highly readable, entertaining and informative that draws on the latest scientific research; covers the desert regions of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana; stunning full-colour photographs support the text.
£19.35
Reaktion Books The Desert Lands of Lost Borders
Book SynopsisFrom scorching seas of sand to glacial polar expanses, Desert: Lands of Lost Borders relates the tales, truths, folklore and facts of the desert in an analysis that is at once informative and surprising.
£37.87
ISTE Ltd and John Wiley & Sons Inc Mankind and Deserts 3: Wind in Deserts and
Book SynopsisThe wild beauty of deserts has always been a source of fascination the world over. Mankind and Deserts 3 the third and final volume focuses on wind, frequently present in all deserts, either hot or cold. Wind plays a major role in aridity and landscapes bear numerous forms due to its action, erosion, transportation and surface formations, some discreet and others spectacular, such as vast expanses of towering yardangs. Aeolian dynamics lead to dune formation, simple or associated with sand ridges or ergs, as in the Sahara. Mankind has attempted, to varying degrees of success, to cope with sand accumulation; ignoring aeolian dynamics has led many development projects to failure. This is developed by Yann Callot, a Professor at Lyon University who studied aeolian dynamics in the Sahara. Traditional societies have adapted to live in deserts, establishing vibrant civilizations with original ways of living, managing water resources and creating routes for trade, especially for salt. In a changing environment, useful lessons can be drawn from the genius of mankind�s adaptation to such diverse and fragile environments. This is explained by Marc Côte, who was a Professor at Constantine (Algeria) and Aix-en-Provence Universities. From ancient, almost mythical, exploration to modern scientific studies, deserts have come to be better known yet still hold great appeal. This book traces the history of their knowledge while providing a basis for understanding their features and the tools needed for their protection, in an ever-changing world.Table of ContentsForeword ixYvette Dewolf Introduction: Aeolian Dynamics and Processes xiiiYann Callot Chapter 1. Aeolian Landforms in Deserts 1Yann Callot 1.1. Forms and surface states 1 1.2. Ablation forms 2 1.2.1. Desert pavement 2 1.2.2. Coherent rock landforms 5 1.2.3. A mixed ablation shape: hydro-aeolian depressions 15 1.3. Accumulation formations 16 1.3.1. Amorphous accumulations 18 1.3.2. Smaller aeolian formations 21 1.3.3. Sandy accumulations without sharp crests 27 1.3.4. Dunes with sharp crests 28 1.3.5. Combinations of sifs 36 1.3.6. Non-sandy aeolian accumulations 43 1.4. Aeolian systems 47 1.4.1. Initial combinations: arrow, elb and draa 48 1.4.2. Interdune spaces 50 1.4.3. Polygenic formations 52 1.5. Ergs, the most complex aeolian systems 60 1.5.1. Definition 60 1.5.2. The formation of ergs 61 1.5.3. From the stability of forms... to a whole new scale: the Grand Erg Occidental 65 1.6. Conclusion: a new paradigm to explain the organization and orientation of active dunes 70 1.7. Martian dunes, still mobile… 72 1.8. References 75 Chapter 2. Humans and Winds in Deserts 79Yann Callot 2.1. Traditional societies and the wind 80 2.2. The battle against sand encroachment, or the Barrel of the Danaids: the Zouerate railroads (Mauritania) 83 2.3. The Dust Bowl, the first ecological disaster of the 20th century in a developed country 87 2.4. The western Algerian Green Barrier, or an error in management 91 2.4.1. A “barrier” in an unfavorable physical environment 91 2.4.2. Difficult implementation 93 2.4.3. A basic error in understanding aeolian dynamics 98 2.5. References 105 Chapter 3. Living in Deserts 107Marc Côte 3.1. Humans and the desert 108 3.1.1. A “desert civilization” 108 3.1.2. There are deserts and then there are deserts 108 3.1.3. The desert, Islam and oil 110 3.1.4. Antagonistic and complementary civilizations 110 3.2. Bedouin civilizations 113 3.2.1. Nomads 113 3.2.2. The power of the group 114 3.2.3. Astonishing knowledge 114 3.2.4. The fundamentals of pastoralism 115 3.2.5. Nomad territories 117 3.2.6. Collective lands 118 3.2.7. Dromedaries and Bactrian camels 120 3.2.8. A large-scale ecological transformation: desertification 122 3.2.9. Social transformation: sedentarization 123 3.2.10. New forms of pastoralism 123 3.2.11. The new faces of group structure 125 3.3. Hydraulic civilization 126 3.3.1. Oasis life 126 3.3.2. The fundamentals of hydraulic civilizations 126 3.3.3. Water territories 127 3.3.4. Cradles of hydraulic civilizations 127 3.3.5. Hydraulic techniques 129 3.3.6. Collective and individual hydraulic systems 132 3.3.7. Modes of sharing a rare resource 134 3.3.8. The diffusion of techniques 134 3.3.9. Hot deserts and cold deserts 137 3.3.10. Today: from small wells to deep drilling 138 3.4. A salt civilization? 140 3.4.1. Societies in quest of salt 140 3.4.2. Salt territories 141 3.4.3. The logistics of salt 142 3.4.4. An important period in the history of the Sahara 143 3.4.5. A salt civilization? 144 3.5. Urban civilizations in the desert 144 3.5.1. Cities 144 3.5.2. The fundamentals of urban life 145 3.5.3. The city and the road 147 3.5.4. Networks of urban centers 148 3.5.5. Capitals under the sun 149 3.5.6. The city and water 150 3.5.7. The city and the desert today 153 3.6. Conclusion 153 3.7. References 154 List of Authors 157 Index 159
£124.15
Sternberg Press Sahara: A Thousand Paths Into the Future
Book Synopsis
£21.38
University of Nevada Press Glacier National Park: A Culmination of Giants
Book SynopsisBristol takes readers on a journey through the history of Glacier National Park, beginning over a billion years ago from the formation of the Belt Sea, to the present day climate-changing extinction of the very glaciers that sculpted most of the wonders of its landscapes. He delves into the ways in which this area of Montana seemed to have been preparing itself for the coming of humankind through a series of landmass adjustments like the Lewis Overthrust and the ice ages that came and went. First there were tribes of Native Americans whose deep regard for nature left the landscape intact. They were followed by Euro-American explorers and settlers who may have been awed by the new lands, but began to move wildlife to near extinction. Fortunately for the area that would become Glacier, some began to recognize that laying siege to nature and its bounties would lead to wastelands. Bristol recounts how a renewed conservation ethic fostered by such leaders as Emerson, Thoreau, Olmstead, Muir, and Teddy Roosevelt took hold. Their disciples were Grinnell, Hill, Mather, Albright, and Franklin Roosevelt, and they would not only take up the call but rally for the cause. These giants would create and preserve a park landscape to accommodate visitors and wilderness alike.Trade ReviewGlacier is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. George Bristol’s love for the park is perfectly displayed on these pages as he examines Glacier’s past and prepares readers for the next 100 years of America’s best idea, our national parks."" - Mrs. Laura W. Bush, former First Lady of the United States
£20.96
Torrey House Press This Desert Hides Nothing: Selections from the
Book Synopsis
£15.15
Torrey House Press When I Was Red Clay: A Journey of Identity,
Book Synopsis
£13.56
Torrey House Press Stone Desert
Book Synopsis
£18.66
Torrey House Press Path of Light: A Walk Through Colliding Legacies
Book Synopsis
£16.96
Orchard Innovations Wildflowers of the Lake Mead Region
Book Synopsis
£17.09
teNeues Publishing UK Ltd Deserts
Book SynopsisDiscover the whole fascinating world of deserts in an opulent illustrated book! Immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes and untouched nature on all five continents. From the icy expanses of the Arctic and Antarctic to the barren wastelands of Greenland and Iceland, the endless steppes of Central Asia and America and the endless deserts of Arabia and Africa.Highlights such as the majestic Gobi Desert, the mystical Sahara, the Namib Desert, the picturesque Kalahari or the Colorado Desert are of course not missing. The pictures take you into a world of endless dune landscapes, barren and bizarre stone deserts or salt lakes as if from another planet. But there are also oases to discover that seem like a mirage and abandoned settlements that bear witness to the futile human efforts to gain a foothold here. This illustrated book is more than just a collection of photographs - it is a captivating portrait of our planet and poetically tells of the wonder of life - and its fragility.Text in English, German, and French.
£44.00
Scientific Publishers Journals Dept Human Impact on Desert Environment
Book Synopsis
£43.49
ActarD Inc Desert America: Territories of Paradoxon
Book Synopsis
£20.23
Double 9 Booksllp The Pony Rider Boys In The Alkali; Or, Finding A
Book SynopsisThe Pony Rider Boys In The Alkali is a book of the Pony Rider Boys series which is well-written by Frank Gee Patchin. This collection of ideas by Sir Patchin attempts to compile many of his classic thoughts that are consolidated in a single draft and offer them at an affordable price so that everyone can read them. Some stories are interesting and amazing while others can draw you completely into the book. With an eye-catching cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Pony Rider Boys In The Alkali is both modern and readable. The plot has many twists and turns that can engage a reader to read this book by the end of it. This book has been deemed a classic and has been a great collection of ideas that are comprehended so that people of any age can read this novel. A compendium of ideas delivered by Frank Gee Patchin is interesting and adventurous at the same time!
£9.99
Lannoo Publishers Deserted: In Pursuit of Drylands
Book SynopsisRucksack Magazine presents Deserted: In Pursuit of Drylands. Featuring stunning photography and essays about the world's most amazing deserts, including the Moab, the Atacama, Mojave, and the Namib deserts. In these pages we are introduced to landscapes so vast that time and space are rendered meaningless. The desert lies bare — sparse and silent in the heavy stillness of the day — a wilderness that retains a veil of mystery despite contemplation and obsession. This book explores the gentle fragility of these ancient landscapes, places that somehow manage to be both remote and yet strangely intimate.
£32.00
Lannoo Publishers Desert Escapes
Book Synopsis"A collection of glamorous lodgings offering what Scarabeo Camp in Morocco calls “dusty luxury.” — Remodelista "Celebrates the solitude of the desert and extraordinary places to stay." — Wallpaper The desert offers the great benefits of silence, slowness and space. These startling landscapes and awe-inspiring vistas can only be found in a few places in the world. Accompanied by stunning photography, this book bundles together 40 dreamy locations in one volume and shows the most luxurious and special overnight stays the desert has to offer. Get insider tips on travel to the Sahara in Morocco, the salt flats (Salar de Uyuni) in Bolivia or the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, among others.Trade Review"Through a series of outstanding images and texts, they are made unique environments alive and we get to accompany you to 40 of the most magical places that the incredible landscapes have to offer." [Google Translate from Swedish] - Hoom Magazine"A collection of glamorous lodgings offering what Scarabeo Camp in Morocco calls “dusty luxury.”" - Remodelista"Celebrates the solitude of the desert and extraordinary places to stay." - Wallpaper"Ideas to pick up, new trends to adopt or decoration spots to discover, the #ELLEdécoCrush in August celebrate the holiday spirit." - Elle Decoration France"From igloo domes to spaceship-inspired structures, travel writer Karen Gardiner showcases the world’s most secluded and spectacular places to stay – all in extreme landscapes." - You Magazine, Daily Mail
£36.00
