Basics of Environmental Science

by Allaby,Michael

• ISBN13: 9780415211758
• ISBN10: 0415211751
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-11-02
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The new edition of this popular student text offers an engaging introduction to environmental study. It covers the entire breadth of the environmental sciences, providing concise, non-technical explanations of physical processes and systems and the effects of human activities.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	vii
List of Tables	xi
Preface to the Second Edition	xiii
How to Use This Book	xiii
Introduction	1	(18)
What is environmental science?	1	(3)
Environmental interactions, cycles, and systems	4	(3)
Ecology and environmentalism	7	(3)
History of environmental science	10	(3)
Changing attitudes to the natural world	13	(6)
Further reading	17	(1)
Notes	17	(1)
References	17	(2)
Earth Sciences	19	(71)
Formation and structure of the Earth	19	(4)
The formation of rocks, minerals, and geologic structures	23	(4)
Weathering	27	(3)
The evolution of landforms	30	(4)
Coasts, estuaries, sea levels	34	(3)
Energy from the Sun	37	(5)
Albedo and heat capacity	42	(2)
The greenhouse effect	44	(7)
The evolution, composition, and structure of the atmosphere	51	(3)
General circulation of the atmosphere	54	(5)
Oceans, gyres, currents	59	(5)
Weather and climate	64	(4)
Glacials, interglacials, and interstadials	68	(5)
Dating methods	73	(3)
Climate change	76	(5)
Climatic regions and floristic regions	81	(9)
Further reading	86	(1)
Notes	87	(1)
References	87	(3)
Physical Resources	90	(47)
Fresh water and the hydrologic cycle	90	(5)
Eutrophication and the life cycle of lakes	95	(4)
Salt water, brackish water, and desalination	99	(4)
Irrigation, waterlogging, and salinization	103	(4)
Soil formation, ageing, and taxonomy	107	(4)
Transport by water and wind	111	(4)
Soil, climate, and land use	115	(4)
Soil erosion and its control	119	(4)
Mining and processing of fuels	123	(7)
Mining and processing of minerals	130	(7)
Further reading	135	(1)
Note	135	(1)
References	135	(2)
Biosphere	137	(63)
Biosphere, biomes, biogeography	137	(4)
Major biomes	141	(6)
Nutrient cycles	147	(4)
Respiration and photosynthesis	151	(1)
Trophic relationships	151	(9)
Energy, numbers, biomass	160	(3)
Ecosystems	163	(5)
Succession and climax	168	(4)
Arrested successions	172	(4)
Colonization	176	(3)
Stability, instability, and reproductive strategies	179	(4)
Simplicity and diversity	183	(5)
Homoeostasis, feedback, regulation	188	(4)
Limits of tolerance	192	(8)
Further reading	197	(1)
References	197	(3)
Biological Resources	200	(61)
Evolution	200	(6)
Evolutionary strategies and game theory	206	(4)
Adaptation	210	(4)
Dispersal mechanisms	214	(4)
Wildlife species and habitats	218	(4)
Biodiversity	222	(5)
Fisheries	227	(6)
Forests	233	(6)
Farming for food and fibre	239	(10)
Human populations and demographic change	249	(1)
Genetic engineering	250	(11)
Further reading	257	(1)
Notes	257	(1)
References	258	(3)
Environmental Management	261	(37)
Wildlife conservation	261	(4)
Zoos, nature reserves, wilderness	265	(4)
Pest control	269	(5)
Restoration ecology	274
World conservation strategies	237	(44)
Pollution control	281	(6)
Hazardous waste	287	(1)
Transnational pollution	288	(10)
Further reading	296	(1)
References	296	(2)
End of book summary	298	(2)
Glossary	300	(7)
Bibliography	307	(9)
Index	316