The Earth Transformed: An Introduction to Human Impacts on the Environment

by Andrew S. Goudie (Univ. of Oxford, UK); Heather A. Viles (St Catherine's College, Univ. of Oxford)

• ISBN13: 9781444313536
• ISBN10: 1444313533
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-07-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

The Earth Transformed answers the need for a concise, non-technical introduction to the ways in which the natural environment has been and is being affected by human activities. It is simply and engagingly written, and illustrated with maps, diagrams, figures and photographs.Among the subjects described and considered by the authors are desertification, deforestation, wetland management, biodiversity, climatic change, air pollution, the impact of cities on climate and hydrology, erosion, salinization, waste disposal, sea level rise, marine pollution, coral reef degradation and aquaculture.The book is organized around 45 case studies taken from all parts of the globe and chosen for their intrinsic interest and representative nature. Further features of the book include guides to further reading, suggestions for debate and study, and a glossary of terms.The book is aimed to meet the needs of students beginning courses on environmental science and geography.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction to the Developing Environmental Impact:

Early Days

Developing Populations

Agricultural Revolutions

Urban and Industrial Revolutions

The Modern Scene

Understanding Environmental Transformations

Key Terms and Concepts

Points for Review

The Biosphere:

Introduction

Fire

Desertification

Deforestation

Tropical Secondary Forest Formation

Grasslands and Heathlands: The Human Role

Temperate Forests Under Stress

Urban Ecology

Wetlands: "The Kidneys of the Landscape"

Biodiversity and Extinctions

Key Terms and Concepts

Points for Review

The Atmosphere:

Introduction

Anthropogenic Climate Change: The Role of Aerosols. The Gulf War Oil Fires

Anthropogenic Climate Change: The Role of Land Cover Changes

The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

Urban Climates

Urban Air Pollution

Ozone Depletion and Ozone Pollution

Acid Deposition

Conclusion

Key Terms and Concepts

Points for Review

The Waters:

Introduction

River Regulation

Forests and River Flow

The Hydrological Response to Urbanization

Land Drainage

Water Pollution

Eutrophication

Thermal Pollution

Inter-basin Water Transfers and the Death of the Aral Sea

Groundwater Depletion and Groundwater Rise

Conclusion

Key Terms and Concepts

Points for Review

The Land Surface:

Introduction

Soil Erosion by Water

Wind Erosion and Dune Reactivation

River Channel Changes

Salinization

Accelerated Landslides

Ground Subsidence

Waste Disposal

Stone Decay in Urban Buildings

Conclusion

Key Terms and Concepts

Points for Review

Oceans, Seas and Coasts:

Introduction

Sea-level Rise

Coastal Erosion

Coastal Flooding

Coastal and Marine Pollution

Coastal Dune Management

Coral Reef Degradation

Aquaculture and Coastal Wetlands

Conclusion

Key Terms and Concepts

Points for Review

Conclusion:

Introduction

The Complexity of the Human Impact

Towards a Sustainable Future

Key Terms and Concepts

Points for Review

Glossary

References

Index

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