Physical Geography: Great Systems and Global Environments

by William M. Marsh , Martin M. Kaufman

• ISBN13: 9780521764285
• ISBN10: 0521764289
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-04-30
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

The physical geography of Earth is explained through the systems that shape the planet's lands, waters, and atmosphere. Written in an easy narrative style, each chapter combines text with more than 40 single-concept illustrations. The result is a distinctive design that weaves words and illustrations together into an integrated whole. The presentation is uncluttered to keep students focused on the main themes. An entire chapter is dedicated to climate change, its geographic origins, likely outcomes, and influence on other Earth systems. A distinctive illustration program includes summary diagrams at the end of chapters that recap concepts and reinforce the systems approach. Section summaries within chapters, along with end-of-chapter review points and questions, are provided to highlight key concepts and encourage thoughtful review of the material. The instructor's guidebook highlights the core concepts in each chapter and suggests strategies to advance a systems approach in teaching physical geography.

Table of Contents

Earth's Energy, Climate and Ocean Systems

Mapping our course of study

An overview of planet Earth: some geographic observations about Earth

The Sun-Earth energy system: fuel for a planet

Earth's radiation and heat systems over land and water

The great systems of global air and ocean circulation

Atmospheric moisture, precipitation and weather systems

Modern climate types and patterns

Climate change, past, present, and future

Earth's Life Support Systems

Earth as an ecosystem: energy, food, and life

Biogeography: geographic distribution of plant and animal types

Human origins, diffusion, and the alteration of natural landscapes

Soil system, processes, and formation

Soil types, distribution, and land use relations

Earth's Water Systems

The global water system

Runoff systems, streamflow, and watersheds

Groundwater, lakes, and water resources

Earth's Rock and Mountain Systems

Earth's internal system: heat, convection, rocks and the planet's skin

The formation and geographic organization of the continents and ocean basins

Mountain building systems, earthquakes, and volcanoes

Earth's Erosional and Landform Systems

Geomorphic systems: rock weathering, hill slope processes, and slope formation

Stream systems, valley formation, and fluvial landscapes

Coastal systems: waves, currents, and landforms

Glacial systems: growth, motion, and work of glacial ice

Wind, sand, dust, and deserts

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