Physical geography and topography Books

Book Synopsis''The clouds are nature''s poetry, and the most egalitarian of her displays, since everyone has an equally fantastic view of them. Clouds are for dreamers, and their contemplation benefits the soul. Yet their beauty is so everyday as to be in danger of being overlooked ...''Gavin Pretor Pinney is the chairman and founder member of the Cloud Appreciation Society. He contends that we are blessed in this country with a uniquely rich and varied cloudscape, which has hitherto been sadly undervalued. His book teaches us to appreciate their different varieties - the cumulus, nimbostratus and Morning Glory to name only a few - and all their beauties and significances, both meteorological and cultural. We learn how Hindus believed the cumulus clouds were the spiritual cousins of elephants, how thermal air currents act on fair weather cumuli, and how to save a fortune in psychiatric bills by using the clouds as Rorschach images that reflect our state of mind as well as nature''Trade Review'A lovely book, the sort that everybody should have in the car or on the kitchen windowsill' * Daily Telegraph *'His style is genial, his enthusiasm uplifting and his book nothing less than a subtle but glorious mantra for a way of life.' * Metro *'Read this eye-opening and amusingly written book and you will realise that beautiful as they are clouds are not just put there for decoration, they are truly awesome things.' * Daily Mail *'Eloquent and engaging...Beautiful illustrations, photos and diagrams throughout, which show how spectacular the sights can be for the ardent cloudspotter.' * Financial Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA celebration of the vital role of geography in our understanding of the big issues facing humanity and the planet todayTrade Review[A]n erudite, dark-lit little book by a veteran explorer-broadcaster, distilling a lifetime of thought and travel. It is a hymn to geography, which 'keeps us human' -- Ruth Padel * New Statesman Best Books of 2018 *Destined to become a classic ... a meticulously researched distillation of the geography and history of our planet -- Nigel Winser * Geographical Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisEducation is a critical part of safety - and not getting lost, or knowing how to get found if you do, is one of the most important lessons. Simple techniques to navigate out of dangerous situations are the focus of this handy waterproof reference guide, along with basic compass use and travelling by simple bearings. Contents also cover navigation skills around obstacles, pacing beads, aiming off, and dead reckoning. Developed by noted survival expert and woodsman Dave Canterbury, this is one of a 10-part series on survival skills. Made in the USA.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"A pleasure to browse. . . . Compact but informative species accounts and the colourful photos are a constant delight."---Matthew Merritt, Bird Watching Magazine"Wildlife of Ecuador is the all-in-one nature guide for the generalist nature traveler. . . . Photographs are large, clear, and colorful, and often delightful."---Donna Lynn Schulman, 10,000 Birds"The guide is a one-stop treasure trove of information. . . . A must for those visiting or conducting research in Ecuador."---Howard O. Clark, Jr., Sonoran Herpetologist"Sections of the book focus on birds (223 species), mammals (70), reptiles (40) and amphibians (37). This serves to close a gap I personally have always found frustrating as I travel, for often books on mammals and herps don’t even exist for many regions and I drool every time I find one." * North Durham Nature Newsletter *Table of ContentsPreface 7 Acknowledgments 9 Plan of the Book 10 Biogeography of Ecuador 12 Diversity and Its Causes 12 The Andes 13 The Equator 14 Marine Currents 15 Habitats and Bioregions 17 Species Accounts Amphibians 19 Reptiles 42 Birds 72 Mammals 218 Bibliography and References 270 Appendix: Map of Main Roads and National Protected Areas of Ecuador 272 List of Photographers 274 Index of Common Names 275 Index of Scientific Names 281

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisSee the Earth revealed in amazing detail through more than 640 spectacular maps, along with fascinating fact files about countries all over the world.The world is a big place, but this best-selling reference atlas keeps things suitably small for children and adults alike. More than 640 stunning maps come together in DK''s Concise World Atlas, from the frozen ice of Antarctica to the hot tropics of Africa. Terrain models show features of the land, while informative text, photographs, and diagrams combine to create a superb overview of the world''s physical, political, economic, and demographic geography. Careful presentation and easy language ensure the information stays clear and concise for younger readers throughout the book.196 nations are detailed in fascinating fact files, alongside information about the country''s land use, industries, and population distribution. An index bursting with 80,000 entries makes the Concise World Atlas an essent

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book provides a detailed description of how Python can be used to give insight into the flow of groundwater based on analytic solutions. Starting with simple problems to illustrate the basic principles, complexity is added step by step to show how one-dimensional and two-dimensional models of one or two aquifers can be implemented. Steady and transient flow problems are discussed in confined, semi-confined, and unconfined aquifers that may include wells, rivers, and areal recharge. Special consideration is given to coastal aquifers, including the effect of tides and the simulation of interface flow.Application of Python allows for compact and readable code, and quick visualization of the solutions. Python scripts are provided to reproduce all results. The scripts are also available online so that they can be altered to meet site-specific conditions. This book is intended both as training material for the next generation of university students and as a useful resource forTrade Review 'This is a fantastic addition to the analytical solutions and analytic element modeling canon with a modern approach to programming with Python. I hope readers will use it to learn and explore groundwater theory, and to up their game on making simple reality checks of complex systems to improve all groundwater modeling.''The authors do an excellent job of describing practically important calculations, like determining the critical flowrate at which a pumped well starts to induce flow from a nearby river.'- Michael Fienen, Groundwater - NGWA, Book Review, 7 September 2022'This is a fantastic addition to the analytical solutions and analytic element modeling canon with a modern approach to programming with Python. I hope readers will use it to learn and explore groundwater theory, and to up their game on making simple reality checks of complex systems to improve all groundwater modeling.''The authors do an excellent job of describing practically important calculations, like determining the critical flowrate at which a pumped well starts to induce flow from a nearby river.'- Michael Fienen, Groundwater - NGWA, Book Review, 7 September 2022Table of Contents0. Basics of Groundwater Flow. 1. Steady One-dimensional Flow with Constant Transmissivity. 2. Steady One-dimensional Semi-confined Flow. 3. Steady One-dimensional Unconfined Flow with Variable Saturated Thickness. 4. Steady One-dimensional Flow in Coastal Aquifers. 5. Transient One-dimensional Flow. 6. Steady Two-dimensional Flow to Wells. 7. Steady Two-dimensional Flow to Wells in Uniform Background Flow. 8. Analytic Element Modeling of Steady Two-dimensional Flow. 9. Transient Two-dimensional Flow. 10. Steady Two-dimensional Flow in the Vertical Plane. 11. Appendix - Python Primer

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat processes and physical materials have shaped the planet we live on? Why do earthquakes happen? And what can geology teach us about contemporary issues such as climate change?From volcanoes and glaciers to fossils and rock formations, this user-friendly book gives a structured and thorough overview of the geology of planet Earth and beyond. Geology: A Complete Introduction outlines the basics in clear English, and provides added-value features like a glossary of the essential jargon terms, links to useful websites, and examples of questions you might be asked in a seminar or exam.Topics covered include the Earth''s structure, earthquakes, plate tectonics, volcanoes, igneous intrusions, metamorphism, weathering, erosion, deposition, deformation, physical resources, past life and fossils, the history of the Earth, Solar System geology, and geological fieldwork. There are useful appendices on minerals, rock names and geological time.Whether you

Read more less

Book SynopsisLearn physical geography at your own pace What is atmospheric pressure? How does latitude indicate the type of climate a specific place will have? Where are volcanic eruptions or strong earthquakes most likely to occur? With Physical Geography: A Self-Teaching Guide, you''ll discover the answers to these questions and many more about the basics of how our planet operates. Veteran geography teacher Michael Craghan takes you on a guided tour of Earth''s surface, explaining our planet''s systems and cycles and their complex interactions step by step. From seasonal changes to coastal processes, from effluvial basins to deep sea fissures, Craghan puts the emphasis on comprehension of the topics. He also includes more than 100 specially commissioned illustrations and 50 photographs to help clarify difficult concepts. The clearly structured format of Physical Geography makes it fully accessible, providing an easily understood, comprehensive overview for everyone fromTable of ContentsAcknowledgments. Introduction. 1. Earth and Sun. 2. Insolation and Temperature. 3. The Atmosphere and Atmospheric Water. 4. Pressure and Wind. 5. General Circulation of the Atmosphere. 6. Air Masses and Storms. 7. Climate. 8. Plate Tectonics. 9. Plate Interactions. 10. Volcanoes and Earthquakes. 11. Weathering. 12. Groundwater. 13. Streams. 14. Wind and Ice. 15. Waves and Tides. Appendix 1:The Ancient Explanation of Earth–Sun Relationships. Appendix 2: Coriolis Force. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Beautifully illustrated and fact-crammed guide. . . . Top marks."---Stuart Winter, Sunday Express"This is a stunning book in every way that a bibliophile or collector can imagine, and it's an inspirational book in every sense that a citizen scientist or a professional ecologist can wish for."---Grrl Scientist, Guardian"This is one of those books that I didn't know I needed until it arrived, and now that I do have it, I consider it an indispensable reference and simply cannot put it down as I plan my trip schedule for next year. This is also the first book of its kind that I've come across and, I am sure, will become a standard text for many other nature enthusiasts looking to make sense of the environment around them. This book sits comfortably alongside other reference works such as those on butterflies, moths, birds, plants and so on and . . . is highly recommended."---Pete Eeles, Dispar - The Online Journal of Lepidoptera"Essential reading for all wildlife enthusiasts, professional ecologists and landscape architects. . . . [I]t's an ideal field guide to the nation's nature." * Booktime *"The book opens up a treasure trove of previously unknown landscape, habitat and flora & fauna. . . . Anyone with an interest in the outdoors will thoroughly enjoy this book."---Phil Slade, Another Bird Blog"[B]oth inspiring and a wake-up call to anyone with an interest in the natural world . . . an invaluable reference resource as well as being an enjoyable read."---Matthew Merritt, Bird Watching"[E]xcellent and valuable . . . should be widely read by wildlife and landscape enthusiasts."---Rob Hume, Birdwatch"An essential companion to your species guides. Read it, enjoy it, take it into the field."---Anthony Robinson, British Wildlife"I like it . . . I like it a lot. This is a beautifully produced hardback volume that covers all of the main habitat types found across the islands of Britain and Ireland. Illustrated throughout with more than 680 colour photographs it is a visual feast . . . a good balance of information that's particularly well suited to the wildlife enthusiast, birder or anyone who loves the great outdoors and would like a better understanding of how it all fits together."---Calvin Jones, Ireland's Wildlife"Its detailed and authoritative treatment will make it a standard textbook for students and conservation professionals whilst its insightful content and attractive presentation will also guarantee its appeal to the general reader and amateur naturalist."---Andy Stoddart, Rare Bird Alert"Occasionally a book comes along the like of which you have never seen before. This is such a book. The beautifully produced work is a wonderful celebration of the rich diversity of Britain and Ireland's habitats, stunningly illustrated . . . This is much more than a coffee table book . . . The breadth of coverage and knowledge imparted is quite staggering. This is an essential reference book for anyone interested in our wildlife habitats, their extent, location, conservation, and much, much more."---Nigel Bourn, Butterfly Magazine"This is a highly impressive book. . . . As far as this reviewer is aware, there is no other printed work with this level of visual material describing and classifying the natural habitats of the British Isles."---Tony Chalcraft, Reference Reviews"The book is certainly crammed full of information and detail and any ecology student would do well to have this volume on their shelves."---Derbyshire Wildlife Trust"This book is highly recommended to anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of our plants and their habitats."---Ro Scott, Highland Naturalist"This is a must for your bookshelves." * Highland News *"This ambitious book succeeds in describing the range of habitat types that exist in Britain and Ireland in an informative but engaging way. For anyone wanting to learn more about the fabric and texture of the countryside, the book is an excellent starting point."---Rob Fuller, British Birds"I found this book a great pleasure to read and will be dipping into it frequently in the future. Anyone with an interest in the outdoors will love it and I would recommend without hesitation that it be placed on the reference shelves of every university, college, school and public library."---Anthony Toole, Waterstones"A lavishly illustrated book aimed at inspiring naturalists and country lovers. It should be required reading for environment ministers and their senior civil servants."---Michael Scott, Conservation Biology"Everyone should browse this book and, with deeper understanding, rejoice in the green and pleasant land in which we live--and consider how it might be maintained and improved for future generations"---Rob Robinson, BTO"It's a very informative piece of work and every birder should take a look either to refresh their fieldcraft or maybe to start them on the path of seeing the environment as a whole not just our normal narrow avian focus." * Fat Birder *"A very informative, clearly-written handbook, essential for modern day field workers."---John Badmin, British Journal of Entomology and Natural History"Authoritative guide . . . . an even more useful and attractive book than in its previous incarnation. Highly recommended."---Andy Musgrove, British Trust for Ornithology"Britain's Habitats shines in two regards: it makes for an excellent guide for those travelling through Britain (anywhere in the country), and it offers a deeper understanding of what nature has to offer."---Mihai Andrei, ZME Science"This is undoubtedly the best habitat book I have seen in a long time and will be an invaluable book to the beginner and expert alike."---Neville Davies, Gwent Wildlife Trust"Another excellent book in the wild guide series and it is perfect for planning a visit to a particular habitat and even now more functional as it can now be carried in the field. This is another essential addition to the naturalist’s library."---Roy Stewart, British Naturalists Association"It’s great to see that this wild guide bangs the drum for conservation. . . . The great thing about the wild guides is that you can visit an area and then look it up when you get a chance. Learning about habitats, how they work and how we can all help to protect them, is important to ensure our wildlife is protected for future generations." * Lapwing Magazine *"The authors have done an amazing job to cram so much useful knowledge into a pocket-sized book. . . . If I should ever be exiled to a desert island, this would be the book I would take to remind me of our particular, remarkable piece of this incredible planet."---Stephen Moran, Highland Naturalist"Whether you are seeking to better understand the landscape you see on your walks or are trying to get the hang of habitats for professional purposes, you couldn’t do much better than this book. No other habitat guide so effectively covers so much whilst remaining straightforward enough for anyone to engage with."---Gus Routledge, Scottish Birds

Read more less

Book SynopsisBorders, Boundaries, Frontiers presents a short and accessible introduction to border studies from an anthropological perspective.Table of Contents1. Introduction: The Anthropology of Borders, Boundaries, and Frontiers 2. Globalization and Borders in a Borderless World 3. Border Walls and the Violence of Security 4. Border Energetics: The Frontiers of Sovereignty and Citizenship 5. Chameleon Borders and Everyday Transnationalism: Border Cultures and Identities 6. Future Borders and New Normals in Border Studies 7. Conclusion: New and Critical Border Thinking

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Shape of the Land: Topography & Landscape Architecture — the first book to centre on this subject — presents the contributions of 13 well-known practitioners and academics who discuss the forms and ramifications of reconfiguring terrain. The essays range in content from pre-industrial precedents in the work of Humphry Repton to new digital topographic modelling systems without the use of contour lines, the treatment of waste products to the land art of the American Southwest. Practicing landscape architects focusing on the modelling of topography in the works considering both utility and aesthetics. In all, the book reviews the history, reasons, and results of at least three centuries of topographic interventions, while suggesting pathways into the future — as new technology and new necessities increase the functional demands placed upon landscape architects, while at the same time potentially offering new forms of artistic expression.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCar parks: commonplace urban landscapes, little-explored and rarely featured in art and music, yet they shape the aesthetics of our towns and cities. Hotspots for crime, rage and sexual deviancy; a blind spot in which activities go unnoticed. Skateboarding, car stunts, drug dealing, dogging, murder. Gareth E. Rees believes that the retail car park has as much mystery, magic and terror as any mountain, meadow or wood. He's out to prove it by walking the car parks of Britain, journeying across the country from Plymouth to Edinburgh, much to the horror of his family, friends - and, most of all - himself. He finds Sir Francis Drake outside B&Q, standing stones in a retail park, and a dead body beside Sainsbury's. In this darkly satirical work of non-fiction, Gareth E. Rees presents a troubling vision of Brexit Britain through a common space we know far less about than we think.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIan Newton, author of Farming and Birds and Bird Migration returns to the New Naturalist series with a long awaited look at the uplands and its birds.The uplands of Britain are unique landscapes created by grazing animals, primarily livestock. The soils and blanket bogs of the uplands are also the largest stores of carbon in the UK, and 70% of the country's drinking water comes from the uplands. It's a significant region, not least to the multitudes of bird species that hunt, forage and nest there.Once again, Ian Newton demonstrates his mastery of the subject matter at hand, in this beautifully illustrated, authoritative addition to the New Naturalist series.Trade ReviewPraise for Uplands and Birds ‘Everything one would expect from one of the UK’s greatest ornithologists; breadth, depth and clarity … This is a monumental book, and you should read it’ Mark Avery ‘lan Newton gives an in-depth look at all the upland habitats, from bogs to conifer forests, and the wide number of species found in each one. There are numerous colour photos of habitats and birds, with many taken by folk he has met on his travels over his long history of working in this field. Yet another classic in this well-loved series’ Bird Watching magazine Praise for Ian Newton: ‘A masterly and wide-ranging account of the consequences for bird populations of the recent shifts in British farming practices. This book … deserves to be widely read, including, one hopes, by the policy makers of the future.’ BTO News ‘This book is a landmark edition in an already outstanding natural history series, and will make an extremely valuable and treasured addition to the library of anyone serious about birds and their biology.’ Seabirds ‘Truly outstanding – the product of a lifelong inquiry into the annual travels of birds.’ Guardian ‘The New Naturalist series strikes gold with this insight into ultimate avian journeys.’ BBC Wildlife ‘… a work of authority.’ The Daily Telegraph

Read more less

Book SynopsisIan Newton, author of Farming and Birds and Bird Migration returns to the New Naturalist series with a long awaited look at the uplands and its birds.The uplands of Britain are unique landscapes created by grazing animals, primarily livestock. The soils and blanket bogs of the uplands are also the largest stores of carbon in the UK, and 70% of the country's drinking water comes from the uplands. It's a significant region, not least to the multitudes of bird species that hunt, forage and nest there.Once again, Ian Newton demonstrates his mastery of the subject matter at hand, in this beautifully illustrated, authoritative addition to the New Naturalist series.Trade ReviewPraise for Uplands and Birds ‘Everything one would expect from one of the UK’s greatest ornithologists; breadth, depth and clarity … This is a monumental book, and you should read it’ Mark Avery ‘lan Newton gives an in-depth look at all the upland habitats, from bogs to conifer forests, and the wide number of species found in each one. There are numerous colour photos of habitats and birds, with many taken by folk he has met on his travels over his long history of working in this field. Yet another classic in this well-loved series’ Bird Watching magazine Praise for Ian Newton: ‘A masterly and wide-ranging account of the consequences for bird populations of the recent shifts in British farming practices. This book … deserves to be widely read, including, one hopes, by the policy makers of the future.’ BTO News ‘This book is a landmark edition in an already outstanding natural history series, and will make an extremely valuable and treasured addition to the library of anyone serious about birds and their biology.’ Seabirds ‘Truly outstanding – the product of a lifelong inquiry into the annual travels of birds.’ Guardian ‘The New Naturalist series strikes gold with this insight into ultimate avian journeys.’ BBC Wildlife ‘… a work of authority.’ The Daily Telegraph

Read more less

Book SynopsisA hopeful yet practical collection of essays exploring the many opportunities and benefits of rewilding and how to get involved today. Highly illustrated with nature photography tracing landscape change over thousands of years. Rewilding has become the key talking point in the modern conservation movement. But it's commonly misunderstood as a campaign to fill the forests with lynxes, wolves and bears, when in fact the ethos guiding the British rewilding movement is much more nuanced, and much broader in scope. It's also much more complicated, requiring an in-depth understanding of the complexity of regional ecosystems.Naturalist and photographer David Woodfall has spent years canvassing converts actually working in the countryside, meeting the people on the frontline of rewilding and collecting their stories. The result is a passionate chorus of voices from all facets of the movement. More than 50 contributors share stories of successful examples like the Knepp and Alladale estates, ofTrade ReviewPraise for Rewilding‘Very much worth reading’ George Monbiot ‘A series of interesting and reassuring essays about projects small and large which necessarily explains what this important conservation tool is really all about’ Chris Packham ‘If you are fascinated by nature and think you could do more to help, then this may well be the book for you, for you will surely find inspiration in its stories’ BBC Countryfile ‘Superb anthology of moving, informative, poignant and yes, at times, hard-hitting essays’ Scotland: The Big Picture Praise for David Woodfall‘Can a photograph truly be worth a thousand words? Yes, when it is taken by someone with the perceptive eye of David Woodfall.’New Scientist Praise for Natural Heartlands by David Woodfall and Kenneth Taylor‘A visual delight and contains some of the most exquisite landscape shots of the British Isles I have seen for a long time.’New Scientist

Read more less

Book SynopsisBig Cat Phonics for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised has been developed in collaboration with Wandle Learning Trust and Little Sutton Primary School. It comprises classroom resources to support the SSP programme and a range of phonic readers that together provide a consistent and highly effective approach to teaching phonics.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExplore Britain with easy-to-read mapping from Collins.Full-colour, double-sided road map of Great Britain at a scale of 8.7 miles to 1 inch. Northern England, Scotland and the Isle of Man are on one side with Southern England and Wales on the other.With its easily identifiable counties and unitary authorities,this map is ideal for business users but it is also perfect for tourists for route planning.Main features:Fully updatedCounties and local council areas shown in colourClear, detailed road networkTown and city names, rivers and canals are clearly shown16 city/town centre street plansIndex to place namesMileage chartCar ferry routesKey in English, French and German

Read more less

Book SynopsisScholar, churchman, diplomat and theologian, Gerald of Wales was one of the most fascinating figures of the Middle Ages and The Journey Through Wales describes his eventful tour of the country as a missionary in 1188. In a style reminiscent of a diary, Gerald records the day-to-day events of the mission, alongside lively accounts of local miracles, folklore and religious relics such as Saint Patrick''s Horn, and eloquent descriptions of natural scenery that includes the rugged promontory of St David''s and the vast snow-covered panoramas of Snowdonia. The landscape is evoked in further detail in The Description, which chronicles the everyday lives of the Welsh people with skill and affection. Witty and gently humorous throughout, these works provide a unique view into the medieval world.Table of ContentsTranslated by Lewis ThorpeIntroduction:I. The Life of Gerald of WalesGeneaological table: the family of Gerald of WalesII. The Journey Through Wales1. The purpose of the journey and its achievements2. Gerald's role3. The route followed4. The three versions5. "...cum notabilibus suis"6. The editions7. The earlier translation8. This translationIII. The Description of Wales1. The shape and subject-matter2. The three versions3. The changes made in the second and third versions4. The editions5. The earlier translation6. This translationIV. Gerald the HistorianV. Gerald the ArtistVI. Short BibliographyVII. AcknowledgmentsVIII. List of Gerald's Extant WritingsMaps:1. Gerald's Journey Through Wales2. Wales in 1188THE JOURNEY THROUGH WALESFirst PrefaceSecond PrefaceList of Chapter-Headings: Book I; Book IITHE DESCRIPTION OF WALESFirst PrefaceSecond PrefaceList of Chapter-Headings: Book I; Book IIAppendix I: The additions made in Versions II and III of The Journey Through WalesAppendix II: The additions made in Versions II and III of The Description of WalesAppendix III: Gerald of Wales and King ArthurIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvery year that passes without a tsunami means that we''re just that much closer to our next one. What can we do to ensure we''re prepared when the next catastrophic tsunami strikes?The ferocious waves of a tsunami can travel across oceans at the speed of a jet airplane. They can kill families, destroy entire cultures, and even gut nations. To understand these beasts in our waters well enough to survive them, we must understand how they''re created and learn from the past.In this book, tsunami specialists James Goff and Walter Dudley arm readers with everything they need to survive a tsunami and maybe even avoid the next one. The book takes readers on a historical journey through some of the most devastating tsunamis in human history, some of the quirky ones, and even some that may not even be what most of us think of as tsunamis. Diving into personal and scientific stories of disasters,Tsunami pulls readers into the many ways these waves can be generated, ranging from earthquakes andTrade ReviewJames Goff and Walter Dudley take us on a journey across the seven seas and the five continents to remind us of the destructive forces of nature. Using oral traditions, historical records, and scientific data, the authors manage to convey in a familiar narrative the results of their amazing professional career. Tsunami will be of great importance for students and researchers in Earth sciences, anthropology and archaeology, and should be a must-read for government officials associated with natural disaster prevention offices. Those of us who live in coastal areas should not be constantly terrified of them, but we must know their effects and be prepared since, as the authors mention: Sooner or later, they will happen again. * Pedro Andrade, Universidad de Concepción *This is an original, authoritative, and highly readable account of tsunamis around the world, balancing clear and accessible explanations of tsunami science with personal accounts and meticulously researched historical detail. Based on their decades of research experience the authors take the reader on an historical journey through tsunamis and their impacts both on individuals and on entire societies, clearly highlighting that, in the words of their final quote, 'Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it. * Andy Cundy, University of Southampton *Goff and Dudley's Tsunami is immensely compelling. Drawing upon many branches of science, from history to geology and archaeology to oceanography, the authors present fascinating insights into this misunderstood and under-appreciated nemesis for coastal dwellers everywhere. Planet-tipping earthquakes, cataclysmic volcanic eruptions, plunging asteroids, colossal landslides, boiling geysers, the demise of dinosaurs and megalodons, ancestral migrations, conflict and warfare, fake news, the 'first Brexit', and captivating legends of water monsters echoing down to us from primeval times: all are featured herein. Science? Absolutely. But pull up your armchair anyway, because Tsunami is gripping stuff. * James Terry, Zayed University *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: The Case of the Disappearing Lighthouse Chapter 2: How Weird Squiggles led from Sheaves of Rice to the Depth of the Seas Chapter 3: Voices From the Past Chapter 4: The World's Oldest Tsunami Victim at the Gateway to the Pacific--and Beyond Chapter 5: The Monster of Lituya Bay Chapter 6: The Perils of Freshwater Tsunamis Chapter 7: Tsunamis and the US Navy Chapter 8: 1964, Alaska: Tsunami Chapter 9: Strange, but True Chapter 10: Megasharknado Chapter 11: Saved by the Baguette Chapter 12: 1755, Lisbon: The Benefit of Brothels Chapter 13: Storegga: No Referendum for this Brexit Chapter 14: 1960, Chile: Did the Earth Move for You? Chapter 15: Boxing Day: The World's Worst Disaster of the 21st Century Afterword

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe AQA Geography for A Level & AS Physical Geography Revision Guide is the most student-friendly resource for the 2016 AQA A Level and AS Level Geography specifications - written to help students to consolidate key knowledge for every topic. Accessible, clear and thorough, this revision guide engages all your students. Each Physical Geography section is condensed into interesting, relevant single- or double-page examples. Clearly written objective open each section, setting out for students what they need to revise, using high-quality photos, maps and diagrams to aid retention of key geographical processes and information. Motivating revision activities and a focus on the exam requirements reinforce the rigorous approach.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is unique in providing a comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis of what is known about soil biodiversity and the factors that regulate its distribution, as well as the functional significance of below-ground biodiversity for ecosystem form and function. It describes the vast diversity of biota that live in the soil environment - the most complex habitat on Earth - and discusses the factors that act as determinants of this diversity across different spatial and temporal scales. The Biology of Soil also considers how biotic interactions in soil influence the important soil processes of decomposition and nutrient cycling . It demonstrates how interactions and feedbacks between diverse plant and soil communities act as important drivers of ecosystem form and function. The importance of these relationships for understanding how ecosystems respond to global change phenomena, including climate change, is discussed in depth. Much is still to be learned about the soil biota and their rolTrade ReviewI recommend this book to soil ecologists across a range of expertise and to soil and environmental scientists who want to increase their understanding of the role of soil biota in ecosystem processes. * European Journal of Science, 58, 1213-1220 *Our understanding of how soils function is rapidly growing and this small, easily read book will bring everyone up to date, backed up by an impressive bibliography...as an introductory text it is excellent. Peter Thomas, Bulletin of the British Ecological Society 2006, 37:2... this book has immense potential as a core key teaching resource for instructing ecology students about the importance of soils and aboveground-belowground feedbacks. In addition to recommending this as a teaching text, I strongly recommend The Biology of Soil to any ecologist who does not actively work in soils and wants to learn more about their fascinating ecology. * Trends in Ecology and Evolution and Evolution *Table of ContentsPreface and acknowledgements ; 1. The soil environment ; 2. The diversity of life in soil ; 3. Organism interactions and soil processes ; 4. Linkages between plant and soil biological communities ; 5. Above-ground trophic interactions and soil biological communities ; 6. Soil biological properties and global change ; 7. Conclusions ; Bibliography ; Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisSince the dawn of human civilization, forests have provided us with food, resources, and energy. The history of human development is also one of forest loss and transformation, and yet even in our increasingly urbanized societies we remain surprisingly dependent on forests for a wide range of goods and services. Moreover, forests still retain a remarkable hold on our environmental values. In an era of continuing tropical deforestation and temperate forest resurgence, and in the midst of uncertainties of climate and land use changes, it is more important than ever to understand what forests are, how they contribute to our livelihoods, and how they underpin our cultural histories and futures. In this Very Short Introduction Jaboury Ghazoul explores our contrasting interactions with forests, as well as their origins, dynamics, and the range of goods and services they provide to human society. Ghazoul concludes with an examination of the recent history of deforestation, transitions to reforestation, and the future outlook for forests particularly in the context of expected climate change.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewAlthough the Very Short Introduction books aim to be accessible introductions to someone new to their subject, there is ample here to stimulate anyone with an interest in forests. * Wilma Harper, Scottish Forestry *I very much enjoyed this book, and the exercise of thinking of things that I would have liked mentioned was part of the fun there weren't many of these; Jaboury Ghazoul has packed a huge amount into this slim volume. Reading about favourite examples like the Sook Plain and the Eastern White Pine was like seeing old friends again. I heartily recommend this book to forest ecologists, and suggest that anyone beginning a degree in ecology spend an evening reading it. * BES Forest Ecology Group, Dan Bebber *Table of Contents1. Forests in human culture ; 2. Forest origins ; 3. Many forests ; 4. Forest dynamics ; 5. Good and services ; 6. Past, present and future ; Further reading ; Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisGeographical data are used in so many aspects of our lives today, ranging from disaster relief operations through to finding directions on our mobile phones. We can all be data collectors, adding locational information as we capture digitally our day-to-day experiences. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are the software tools that facilitate this, turning the raw data into useful information that can help us understand our worlds better.Principles of Geographical Information Systems presents a thorough overview of the subject, exploring both the theoretical basis of GIS, and their use in practice. It explains how data on the world are converted into digital form and the analytical capabilities used to bring understanding to a range of areas of interest and issues. Spatial data are usually based on two, dichotomous paradigms: exactly defined entities in space, such as land parcels and urban structures, or the continuous variation of single attributes, such as temperature or rainfalTrade ReviewReview from previous edition [This second edition] builds upon the previous work in providing a very welcome basic, concise and more up to date introduction to the principles underlying GISs ... a osund and readable introduction to a complex subject. * International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, v. 9 no. 3, 2000 *Choosing a course text in the early post-GIS years was very easy. Peter Burrough's Principles of geographical Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment was the definitive work. Beautifully written and illustrated...Peter Burrough set himself a hard act to follow...In almost every respect this is a new book, and not the second edition it purports to be...So, this is a rarity in textbook publishing a second edition that improves on the first. It looks set to be my recommended course text for many years to come. * David Unwin/GIS Europe June 1998. *This book presents a strong theoritical basis for GIS, which is often lacking in other texts...the optimising of timber extraction from forests and the redistribution of Chernobyl radioactivity by floods are explained clearly in detail. * Mapping Awareness April 1998 *This new publication is up to date and provides comprehensive coverage of virtually all aspects of GIS. It is clearly written and technical where appropriate ... it should be recommended for postgraduate courses and for all teachers of GIS. * David Walker, The Times Higher Education Supplement *Table of Contents1. Geographical information systems and society ; 2. Spatial data and their models: formal abstractions of reality ; 3. Geographical data in the computer ; 4. Data input and verification ; 5. Visualization ; 6. Exploring geographical data ; 7. Analysis of discrete entities in space ; 8. Interpolation 1: deterministic and spline-based approaches ; 9. Interpolation 2: geostatistical approaches ; 10. Analysis of continuous fields ; 11. Digital elevation models ; 12. Space-time modelling and error propagation ; 13. Fuzzy sets and fuzzy geographical objects ; 14. GIS, transformations, and future developments

Read more less

Book SynopsisIsland biogeography is the study of the distribution and dynamics of species in island environments. Due to their isolation from more widespread continental species, islands are ideal places for unique species to evolve, but they are also places of concentrated extinction. Consequently, they are widely studied by ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and conservationists.This accessible textbook builds on the success and reputation of its predecessors, documenting the recent advances in this exciting field and explaining how islands have contributed to both theory development and testing. In addition, the book describes the main processes of island formation, subsequent dynamics, and eventual demise, explaining the relevance of island environmental history to island biogeography. The authors demonstrate the significance of islands as hotspots of biodiversity and of prehistoric and historic anthropogenic extinction. Since island species continue to feature disproportionally in the lists of threatened species today, the book examines both the chief threats to their persistence and some of the mitigation measures that can be put in play, with conservation strategies specifically tailored to islands.Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgements PART 1: Setting the Scene: Islands as Natural Laboratories 1: The natural laboratory paradigm 2: Island types, origins, and dynamics 3: Island environments 4: The biogeography of island life: biodiversity hotspots in context PART 2: Island Ecology 5: Island macroecology 6: Assembly rules for island metacommunities 7: Extending the timescale: island biodynamics in response to island geodynamics PART 3: Island Evolution 8: Colonization, evolutionary change, and speciation 9: Evolutionary diversification across islands and archipelagos 10: Island evolutionary syndromes in animals 11: Island evolutionary syndromes in - and involving - plants PART 4: Human Impact and Conservation 12: The application of island theory to fragmented landscapes 13: The human transformation of island ecosystems 14: Anthropogenic extinction on islands: a synthesis 15: Meeting the conservation challenge

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Going to Extremes writer, presenter and Oxford geography don Nick Middleton visits Oymyakon in Siberia, where the average winter temperature is -47 degrees and 40% of the population have lost their fingers to frostbite while changing the car wheel. Next he travels to Arica Chile where there have been fourteen consecutive years without a drop of rain and so fog is people's only source of water. Going from the driest to the wettest, he visits Mawsynram in India which annually competes for the title with its neighbour Cherrapunji. However, Nick discovers even here, that during the dry season, there is water shortage and one entrepreneur has started selling it bottled.Finally his journey takes him to Dalol in Ethiopia known as the 'hell hole of creation' where the temperature remains at 94 degrees year round. Here Nick will join miners who work all day with no shade, limited water and no protective clothing.The book and series consider how a

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisEarth's climate is changing. This book investigates the scientific, environmental, social, political, and economic aspects of climate change. It enables students to reach an informed opinion and encourages active engagement in finding solutions. It begins with a strong introduction to the scientific factors that drive natural and anthropogenic climate change and expands over three chapters to explore the impact of greenhouse gases on the distribution of solar energy across land, sea, ice, and air. The author examines geologically ancient climates in order to highlight possible future scenarios, and case studies from around the world highlight the impact of climate change on the physical and human environment. The final chapters investigate how society can respond to the challenges of climate change and overcome the political, social, and economic factors that are barriers to progress, focusing on the role of energy policy, fiscal policy, and risk assessment as a means to stimTrade Review"Human-caused climate change is increasing risks to our global health, security, and economic stability. Kitchen’s text is an invaluable resource for instructors who wish to prepare their students to engage in the important policy discussions taking place regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation. The text is thorough, yet easy to read, as it is filled with superb illustrations, thought boxes, and stunning color schemes. I have been teaching for over 30 years and this is the best textbook I have ever used for any course."Scott A. Mandia, Suffolk County Community College, NY, USA.Table of ContentsPart 1 – The Evidence: Is this Normal? Chapter 1 – "So, What’s Up with the Weather?" Chapter 2 – The Evidence: Observing Climate Change Part 2 – Follow the Energy: Atmosphere, Oceans, and Climate Chapter 3 – Energy and Earth’s Climate Chapter 4 – Understanding Weather and Climate Part 3 – Deep Time: A Long History of Natural Climate Change Chapter 5 – Revealing Ancient Climate Chapter 6 – Climate History Part 4 – Impacts of Climate Change: From Polar Bears to Politics Chapter 7 – The Global Impact of Climate Change Chapter 8 – People and Politics Part 5 – Global Solutions: Managing the Crisis Chapter 9 – The Energy Crisis Chapter 10 – Turning Knowledge into Action

Read more less

Book SynopsisONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR:THE NEW YORK TIMES • NPR • THE GUARDIANFrom pole to pole and across decades of lived experience, National Book Award-winning author Barry Lopez delivers his most far-ranging, yet personal, work to date. Horizon moves indelibly, immersively, through the author’s travels to six regions of the world: from Western Oregon to the High Arctic; from the Galápagos to the Kenyan desert; from Botany Bay in Australia to finally, unforgettably, the ice shelves of Antarctica.   Along the way, Lopez probes the long history of humanity’s thirst for exploration, including the prehistoric peoples who trekked across Skraeling Island in northern Canada, the colonialists who plundered Central Africa, an enlightenment-era Englishman who sailed the Pacific, a Native American emissary who found his way into isolationist Japan, and today’s ecotourists in the tropics. And always, t

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Profound in every sense of the word." -- Richard Powers, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Overstory"An excellent book—fearless and subtle, empathic and strange." -- Dwight Garner - New York Times"Reading Macfarlane connects us to dazzling new worlds. It’s a connection that brings, more than anything else, joy." -- Barbara J. King - NPR"Remarkable…Underland may be [Macfarlane’s] masterpiece." -- Colin Thubron - New York Review of Books"One of the most ambitious works of narrative non-fiction of our age." -- William Dalrymple - Guardian"[Robert Macfarlane’s] writing is luminous, intense.…[B]rilliant notes from the underground." -- Huw Lewis-Jones - Nature"[Macfarlane] seems to metabolize landscape into lyrics as he walks." -- Rachel Riederer - Outside"Through this series of haunting descents, Macfarlane plumbs the strange and alarming ways we’ve changed the world and resurfaces with revelations about how to orient us to the future, weaving landscape and language together." -- Kate Yoder - Grist"The most impressive exercise of imagination and scholarship I’ve come across lately.…A reader never will forget this journey through geologic time." -- Tony Norman - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"With Underland Macfarlane gives us a work of nature writing for the age—and for the ages. Its eloquent but urgent prose reveals our complex relationship with nature while pushing us to think more deeply about earth’s sublime underneath." -- Amy Brady - Gizmodo

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Companion Encyclopedia of Geography provides an authoritative and provocative source of reference for all those concerned with the earth and its people. Examining both physical and human geography and charting human activities within their habitat up to the present day, this Companion also asks what lies in the future:* A differentiated world* A world transformed by the growth of a global economy* The global scale of habitat modification* A world of questions* Changing worlds, changing geographies* Geographical futures.The forty-five self contained chapters are bound into a unifying whole by the editors'' general and part introductions; each chapter provides details of the most useful sources of further reading and research, and the volume is concluded with a comprehensive index. This is an invaluable resource not only for students, teachers and researchers in the academic domain but also professionals in interested commercial and pTable of ContentsGeneral Introduction PART I: A DIFFERENTIATED WORLD Introduction 1 Planet Earth 2 The ever-changing climate 3 The biosphere 4 Human evolution 5 The geography of language 6 Religion: nature and origins 7 The modification of the earth by humans in pre-industrial times PART II: A WORLD TRANSFORMED BY THE GROWTH OF A GLOBAL ECONOMY Introduction 8 European settlement, 1450–1750 9 European expansion and land cover transformation 10 The origins of the capitalist world economy 11 Industrialization and world agriculture 12 Changes in global demography 13 Origins of modern environmentalism 14 The saviour city: beneficial effects of urbanization in England and Wales 15 From a ‘cultural’ world to a ‘political’ one PART III: THE GLOBAL SCALE OF HABITAT MODIFICATION Introduction 16 Unity and division in global political geography 17 The geography of conflicts and the prospects for peace 18 A new ‘geo-economy’: patterns, processes, problems 19 Third World urbanization 20 From riches to rags: the international debt crisis 21 Monitoring, modelling and mothering the environment: the impact of science and technology since the Second World War 22 Environmentalism on the move PART IV: A WORLD OF QUESTIONS Introduction 23 Climatic variation and global change 24 Ocean uses, environment and management 25 Water: confronting the critical dilemma 26 Surface instability and human modification in geomorphic systems 27 The tropical rain forest 28 Humanity’s resources 29 Environmental hazards 30 The sustainability of sustenance: land and agricultural production in the Third World 31 Famines and surplus in world food production 32 The nature of Third World cities 33 Western cities and their problems 34 Changing countrysides 35 The quality of life: human welfare and social justice PART V: CHANGING WORLDS, CHANGING GEOGRAPHIES Introduction 36 The expansion and fragmentation of geography in higher education 37 Achievements of spatial science 38 Geography and humanism in the late twentieth century 39 Structural themes in geographical discourse 40 Challenging the boundaries: survival and change in a gendered World 41 Place PART VI: GEOGRAPHICAL FUTURES 42 Concern for geography: a case for equal emphasis of the geographical traditions 43 Home and world, cosmopolitanism and ethnicity: key concepts in contemporary human geography 44 Palaeoenvironmental narrative and scenario science 45 Geographical futures: some personal speculations

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is the next-generation multispectral imaging instrument to fly on US operational, polar-orbiting meteorological satellites. VIIRS will gather data across 22 spectral bands and be used to create products for a variety of applications including weather forecasting and climate change studies. VIIRS consolidates the best features of heritage instruments, including near-constant resolution and nighttime visible imagery. Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite: A New Operational Cloud Imager provides the first comprehensive guide on the design and exploitation of cloud data collected by the VIIRS.Expert researchers Hutchison and Cracknell discuss the fundamental principles necessary to interpret surface and cloud features in multispectral meteorological satellite imagery. They begin by tracing the evolution of satellite meteorology and detailing previous instruments on which VIIRS is based. Next, they examine tTable of ContentsIntroduction. Meteorological Satellite Systems. VIIRS Imagery Design Analysis. VIIRS Imagery Requirements Analysis. Principles in Image Interpretation. Multicolor Composites of Multispectral Imagery. Case Studies in the Use of Multicolor Composites for Scene Interpretation. Automated 3-D Cloud Analyses from NPOESS. References. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFundamentals of Biogeography presents an accessible, engaging and comprehensive introduction to biogeography, explaining the ecology, geography, history and conservation of animals and plants. Starting with an outline of how species arise, disperse, diversify and become extinct, the book examines: how environmental factors (climate, substrate, topography, and disturbance) influence animals and plants; investigates how populations grow, interact and survive; how communities form and change; and explores the connections between biogeography and conservation.The second edition has been extensively revised and expanded throughout to cover new topics and revisit themes from the first edition in more depth. Illustrated throughout with informative diagrams and attractive photos and including guides to further reading, chapter summaries and an extensive glossary of key terms, Fundamentals of Biogeography clearly explains key concepts in the history, geography and ecology of life systems. In doing so, it tackles some of the most topical and controversial environmental and ethical concerns including species over-exploitation, the impacts of global warming, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss and ecosystem restoration.Table of ContentsPart 1: Introducing Biogeography 1. What is Biogeography? 2. Biogeographical Processes I: Speciation, Diversification and Extinction 3. Biogeographical Processes II: Dispersal 4. Biogeographical Patterns: Distributions Part 2: Ecological Biogeography 5. Habitats, Environments and Niches 6. Climate and Life 7. Substrate and Life 8. Topography and Life 9. Disturbance 10. Populations 11. Interacting Populations 12. Communities 13. Community Change Part 3: Historical Biogeography 14. Dispersal and Diversification in the Distant Past 15. Vicariance in the Distant Past 16. Past Community Change Part 4: Conservation Biogeography 17. Conserving Species and Populations 18. Conserving Communities and Ecosystems

Read more less

Book SynopsisPresents an introduction to the weather processes and climatic conditions around the world, their observed variability and changes, and projected trends. This book offers a comprehensive coverage of global meteorology and climatology.Trade Review"A comprehensive introduction to weather and climate, describing phenomena from cloud scale to global scale in a very accessible way." Dave Gutzler, University of New Mexico"This book provides an excellent overview of the climate system from the global to the local scale. It is excellently written at a level that provides detail, whilst being accessible at the introductory level. It is my first choice for the core text for my intermediate level undergraduate climatology course." Julie Jones, Sheffield University, UKTable of Contents1. Introduction and History of Meteorology and Climatology 2. Atmospheric Composition, Mass and Structure 3. Solar Radiation and the Global Energy Budget 4. Atmospheric Moisture Budget 5. Atmospheric Instability, Cloud Formation and Precipitation Processes 6. Atmospheric Motion: Principles 7. Planetary-Scale Motions in the Atmosphere and Ocean 8. Modelling the Atmospheric Circulation and Climate 9. Mid-Latitude Synoptic Systems 10. Weather and Climate in Temperate and High Latitudes 11. Tropical Weather and Climate 12. Boundary Layer Climates 13. Climate Change

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith its unique approach, Visualizing Physical Geography 2nd Edition captures the reader''s attention and demonstrates why physical geography is relevant to them. It relies heavily on the integration of National Geographic and other visuals with narrative to explore key concepts. New emphasis is placed on environmental issues, such as climate change, overpopulation and deforestation, from a geographical perspective. Readers will appreciate this approach because it vividly illustrates the interconnectedness of physical processes that weave together to create our planet''s dynamic surface and atmosphere.Table of ContentsPreface 1 Discovering the Earth's Dimensions 2 The Earth's Global Energy Balance 3 Air Temperature 4 Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation 5 Global Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation 6 Weather Systems 7 Global Climates and Climate Change 8 Earth from the Inside Out 9 Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes 10 Weathering and Mass Wasting 11 Fresh Water of the Continents 12 Landforms Made by Running Water 13 Landforms Made by Wind and Waves 14 Glacial and Periglacial Landforms 15 Global Soils 16 Biogeographic Processes 17 Global Biogeography Appendix: Answers to Self-Tests Glossary References Text, Table and Line Art Credits Photo Credits Index

Read more less