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Taking a global perspective, this book provides a concise overview of drylands, including their physical, biological, temporal, and human components.

• Examines the physical systems occurring in desert environments, including climate, hydrology, past and present lakes, weathering, hillslopes, geomorphic surfaces, water as a geomorphic agent, and aeolian processes
  
• Offers an accessible introduction to the physical, biological, temporal, and human components of drylands
  
• Investigates the nature, environmental requirements, and essential geomorphic roles of plants and animals in this stressful biological environment
  
• Highlights the impact of human population growth on climate, desertification, water resources, and dust storm activity
  
• Includes an examination of surface/atmosphere interactions and the impact of ENSO events.

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book!
A thorough treatment of the subject matter from a physical geographic perpsective. This book integrates a wide array of information and data and is particularly strong with respect to desert geomorphology. Includes chapters on climate, hydrology, desert plants and animals, soils, desert lakes, fluvial systems, slopes, as well as aeolian geomorphic features such as ventifacts, dunes and pavement. All are discussed in fine detail using clear prose. Valuable bibliography. If you're into any aspect of deserts, do yourself a favor and buy this book. ... Read more

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It is not possible to understand the apparent stability of the Earth's climate and environment unless we can fully understand how the best possible environmental conditions may be maintained for life to exist. Human colonization of areas with natural biota, for industrial or agricultural activities, will lead to degradation of those natural communities and violation of the BRE (biotic regulation of the environment) principle. Thus to maintain an environment on Earth that is suitable for life it is necessary to preserve and allow the natural recovery of natural biotic communities, both in the oceans and on land. This book is devoted to a quantitative version of the BRE concept, and is built on a foundation of modern scientific knowledge accumulated in the fields of physics and biology. ... Read more

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Based on the material presented at a conference organized by the Centre d’Océanologie of Marseille, held in 2008, this text covers a wealth of hot topics related to the way mankind interacts with the marine environment. With the state of our oceans and seas becoming an increasing source of concern worldwide, this timely addition to the debate features the latest research in both France and Japan.

The book’s chapters present work on many of the key areas of oceanographic study. The concept of marine biodiversity is treated, in particular how it is affected by human agency and invasive species, many of which have been introduced anthropogenically. Coastal zones are analyzed in detail, with a focus on the interaction between ports and natural environments, and the ecological and economical consequences of this relationship. A chapter on aquaculture looks at ecologically sound management as well as the preservation of resources. New and emerging technologies that aid our observation of the marine environment are covered, as is the physical, chemical, biological and biogeochemical functioning of natural and man-made environments.

Featuring work by some of the leading researchers in the field from both France and Japan, this work demonstrates the strength of the links between the two scientific communities, and is an important contribution to the ongoing discussion on the effects of global warming as well as mankind’s impact on the marine environment we depend on for so much.

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This concise modern survey examines the many recent interdisciplinary developments in the study of environmental changes over the last three million years. It is the fourth edition of this acclaimed book and has been completely revised to reflect the substantial amount of new information and to provide an up-to-date analysis of this important and politicized topic. The outline of the book remains the same, with the new material incorporated throughout. The most heavily revised sections are those on techniques for environmental reconstruction, glaciation in lower altitudes and the southern hemisphere, climatic changes in the twentieth century, and the causes of environmental change. These sections include numerous new illustrations and new guides to further reading. The broad geographical coverage and non-technical language make this book valuable to students in a wide range of courses in geology, physical geography, archaeology, and the life sciences. ... Read more

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Environmental issues and questions of global change are now firmly established on the international political agenda. This volume provides a wide ranging survey of the treatment of environmental issues on international relations. ... Read more

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Concerns about the impact of economic development upon the global environment have increased in recent years. Sustainable development has been proposed as a means of reconciling the pressures between the two, allowing the integration of economic, environmental and social concerns. This book focuses upon the potential to integrate economic and environmental policies at teh local and regional scale. ... Read more

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The main focus of this book is the study of environmental dynamics in the Arctic, coupled with ecosystem dynamics. Particular emphasis has been placed on problems of the Arctic atmosphere composition, including minor gases, aerosols and clouds, as well as changes in the composition due to human impacts. Analysis of observational data and numerical modelling results which characterize the Arctic basin pollution dynamics and its impact on ecosystems is also provided. Other topics covered include problems of general circulation in the atmosphere and oceans - beginning with the 1930s when the Arctic was regarded as the kitchen of global weather and climate, moving on to today when modern observational data and numerical modelling make for a more balanced view. ... Read more

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"Decision Making for the Environment" recommends new research efforts involving the non-economic social and behavioural sciences that could contribute to improved decisions affecting environmental quality. It also offers a strategy for making environmental research more decision relevant. It recommends decision science research to improve analytical tools and deliberative processes necessary for good environmental decision making, research to understand and evaluate the social institutions that shape human use of environmental resources, research to understand the influence of environmental considerations on business decisions, and research to understand and inform individuals' environmentally significant decisions. To increase decision relevance, governments need to employ a participatory approach that involves both the producers and users in guiding research.This approach should be used to develop environmental indicators that include pressures on the environment, environmental states, and human responses and consequences; to evaluate environmental policies; to develop better ways to anticipate environmental futures; and to better assess the impacts of environmental policies and programmes on different segments of society. The book includes several papers that expand on the state of knowledge in the recommended areas. ... Read more

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This volume explores ice phenomena, ranging from microphysics to its largest size scales and manifestations. It begins with the fundamental molecular basis for the environmentally ubiquitous and yet still scientifically challenging melting and freezing transitions, builds the microscopic foundations for nucleation and growth, and develops the implications of these phenomena as they impact a hierarchy of environmental problems, such as the influence of snow and ice cover on the global climate, the role of stratospheric ice in ozone destruction, the economic effects of frost heave on roads and engineered structures, and the consequences of freezing in environmental damage. These phenomena are studied in different disciplines, including astronomy, atmospheric sciences, chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, oceanography, physics, and applied mathematics. ... Read more

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This book presents a coherent survey of modelling in climatology and the environment and the mathematical treatment of those problems. It is divided into 4 parts containing a total of 16 chapters. Parts I, II and III are devoted to general models and Part IV to models related to some local problems. Most of the mathematical models considered here involve systems of nonlinear partial differential equations. The mathematical treatment covers a large range of subjects: existence and uniqueness of well-posed problems, long time behaviour, stability, bifurcation, diagrams of equilibria, conditions for the occurrence of interfaces or free boundaries, numerical algorithms and their implementation, controllability of the problems etc. ... Read more

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This unique collaboration of Russian and Norwegian scientists examines the most recent data on the White Sea bathymetry, examines the ecosystem profile, and provides extensive historical marine and riverine data records. The book presents extensive data and numerical modelling simulations of the White Sea to provide a quantitative assessment of vulnerability of the Sea’s marine ecosystems, of future anthropogenic and climate change forcing.

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This exciting new reader in environmental history provides a framework for understanding the relations between ecosystems and world-systems over time. Alf Hornborg, J. R. McNeill, and Joan Martinez-Alier have brought together a group of the foremost writers from the social, historical, and geographical sciences to provide an overview of the ecological dimension of global, economic processes, with a long-term, historical perspective. Readers are challenged to integrate studies of the Earth-system with studies of the world-system, and to reconceptualize the relations between human beings and their environment, as well as the challenges of global sustainability. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

review
Broad coverage, but bound at times by ideological perspective and use of academic jargon.More concerned with the world system concept than the impact of humans on the environment and vice versa. ... Read more

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Accelerating, human-induced changes in global natural systems, with global warming as a prime example, are modifying international relations. Diplomacy has to recognize that new types of threats will require new solutions and a new spirit of cooperation. This is a gradual process; traditional conflicts will continue to haunt the international system and traditional methods of diplomatic work still prevail.

Based on forty years of experience in multilateral negotiations as former diplomat and international negotiator, the author has developed the concept of a New Diplomacy for Sustainable Development. The book develops the theoretical foundations of the concept and links it to the notion of enabling conditions, describing the close linkages between domestic policies and international negotiations. In conclusion, Kjellén comments on present negotiation processes and offers ideas for institutional reform of the international system.

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The 30th International Geological Congress was held in Beijing, China in August 1997. Leading scientists convened to present their findings and views to the international geological research community. Volume 2 and 3 focus on geosciences and human survival, enviornment, natural hazards and global changes. All articles in the proceedings have been refereed and keynote papers have been included in Volume 1. These proceedings aim to present a view of contemporary geology and should be of interest to researchers in the geological sciences. ... Read more

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Timescapes of Modernity focuses on time to facilitate a deeper understanding of the interactions between environmental, economic, political and socio-cultural concerns. Thinking of the environment as a timescape allows us to see the hazards of the industrial way of life in a new light. Barbara Adam argues that environmental hazards are inescapably tied to the successes of the industrial way of life, global markets and economic growth, large-scale production of food, the speed of transport and communication, the 24 hour society, and even democratic politics. Using examples including the aftermaths of Chernobyl and the treatment of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopath (BSE), Adam dislodges taken-for-granted assumptions about environmental change and provides innovative new strategies to deal with some of the most severe environmental hazards of our time. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from One Country, published by Thomson Gale on July 1, 2006. The length of the article is 991 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Oxford conference on climate change stresses global collective action.(ENVIRONMENT)
Author: Jody Koomen
Publication: One Country (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 18Issue: 2Page: 4(2)

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This digital document is an article from Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences, published by Mississippi Academy of Sciences on July 1, 2009. The length of the article is 5486 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: Climate Variability may be due to natural internal processes within the climate system, or to variations in natural or anthropogenic (human-driven) external forcing. Global climate change indicates a change in either the mean state of the climate or in its variability, persisting for several decades or longer. This includes changes in average weather conditions on Earth, such as a change in average global temperature, as well as changes in how frequently regions experience heat waves, droughts, floods, storms, and other extreme weather. It is important to examine the effects of climate variations on human health and disorders in order to take preventive measures. Similarly, the influence of climate changes on animal management practices, pests and pest management systems, and high value crops such as citrus and vegetables is also equally important for investigation. New genetic agricultural varieties must be explored, and pilot studies should examine biotechnology transfer. Recent climate model improvements have resulted in an enhanced ability to simulate many aspects of climate variability and extremes. However, they are still characterized by systematic errors and limitations in accurately simulating more precisely regional climate conditions. We must develop a greater understanding of the synergistic impacts of environmental change, and improve development, testing and validation of integrated stress impacts through computer modeling. In the present study we present a detailed study of the current status on the impacts of global/regional climate changes on environment and health with a view to highlighting the need for integrated research and education collaboration at national and global level.

Citation Details
Title: Impacts of global/regional climate changes on environment and health: need for integrated research and education collaboration.(Report)
Author: Francis Tuluri
Publication: Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2009
Publisher: Mississippi Academy of Sciences
Volume: 54Issue: 3-4Page: 196(10)

Article Type: Report

Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning ... Read more