Geomorphology of Desert Environments

by Parsons, Anthony J.; Abrahams, Athol D.

• ISBN13: 9781402057182
• ISBN10: 1402057180
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-05-08
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

About one-third of the Earth's land surface experiences a desert climate, and this area supports approximately 15% of the planet's population. This percentage continues to grow, and with this growth comes the need to acquire and apply an understanding of desert geomorphology. Such an understanding is vital in managing scarce and fragile resources and in mitigating natural hazards.This authoritative reference book is comprehensive in its coverage of the geomorphology of desert environments, and is arranged thematically. It begins with an overview of global deserts, proceeds through treatments of weathering, hillslopes, rivers, piedmonts, lake basins, and aeolian surfaces, and concludes with a discussion of the role of climatic change. Written by a team of international authors, all of whom are active in the field, the chapters cover the spectrum of desert geomorphology.

Table of Contents

Part One ' Introduction. 1. Geomorphology of Desert Environments. 2. Global deserts: a geomorphic comparison.-Part Two ' Weathering. 3. Weathering Processes and Forms. 4. Aridic Soils, patterned ground and desert pavements. 5. Duricrusts. 6. Rock varnish in deserts.-Part Three ' Hillslopes. 7. Rock slopes. 8. Rock-mantled slopes. 9. Badlands. 10. The role of vegetation.-Part Four ' Rivers. 11. Catchment and channel hydrology. 12. Channel processes and forms.-Part Five ' Piedmonts. 13. Piedmonts in arid environments. 14. Alluvial fan processes and forms.-Part Six ' Lake Basins. 15. Semi-arid lake basins: hydrographic patterns. 16. Semi-arid lake basins: geomorphic patterns.-Part Seven ' Aeolian Surfaces. 17. Aeolian sand transport. 18. Dune morphology and dynamics. 19. The transport and deposition of dust. 20. Landforms of aeolian erosion.-Part Eight ' Climatic change. 21. Rock varnish as evidence of climatic change. 22. Hillslopes as evidence of climatic change. 23. River landforms and sediments: evidence of climatic change. 24. The role of climatic change in alluvial fan development. 25. Geomorphic evidence of climatic change from desert-basin palaeolakes. 26. Palaeoclimatic interpretations from desert dunes and sediments. 27. Palaeoclimatic interpretations from archaeological sites. 28. Cenozoic climatic change in deserts: a synthesis.