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Contents:
1 - A global perspective; 2 - Atmosphere and hydrosphere; 3 - The biosphere; 4 - The restless crust; 5 - Sculpting the surface.
Review:
The need for knowledge of physical geography in ecological and environmental sciences is obvious but ways of getting just the right amount of information can be limited. The text reviewed here is part of a quite comprehensive system with main text, study guide (the smaller text reviewed here), CDs and website. The main attraction of the approach used here is that the subject is divided into a series of units - 52 in all set in 5 sections. Each unit has a common format with objectives to start the unit, key terms, questions, references and websites to finish and text boxes (some containing field notes, others containing commentaries on key aspects) spread throughout the units. There are copious colour photographs and diagrams making this one of the most visually attractive of texts. A website focussing on natural hazards accompanies the book. To highlight the global nature of the subject, examples are chosen from around the world although, being an American publication there is a focus on North American examples (although this is never too much to detract from the text for those from other areas).
It's one thing to have a good layout and structure: this must be backed up with comprehensive and accurate text and data. The first section, comprising 5 units serves as an introduction. The subject's parameters are outlined, the Earth is described, maps and mapping techniques are introduced and the solar system is described. Thus this unit covers all the main points needed to get students to understand what they are studying and how the subject came to be developed. The next 16 units are put into the section headed atmosphere and hydrosphere. This deals, in a logical manner with the structure and functioning of these two spheres. Initial units look at the composition, structure and functioning of the atmosphere. This moves on to air movements and circulation patterns. At this point the hydrosphere is described. This leads into the final units which look at weather systems and global climate regions (with a final unit on human-climate interactions). Of the two, the hydrosphere gets less treatment but even with this all main areas are covered. Section three moves into the biosphere starting with soils and soil mapping and then three units on biogeography, plant and animal distributions. This might be seen as underplaying the topic (it is a physical text after all) but in reality all the key concepts are mentioned. Section four examines the basic geology of the Earth starting with structure, moving on to the three main rock types and then looking in detail at plate tectonics and associated hazards. The final section looks at basic geomorphology starting with the main processes and then describing regional landforms. A pronunciation guide, glossary and index complete the text.
The student text follows the same numbering but with a different perspective. Each unit has it's overview, objectives, key terms, unit outline and review questions. The website has a very good overview of natural hazards as well as student and instructor sites (although these were not accessible at the time of review).
Overall, this is a most impressive resource. The main text is very clearly structured with ample detail and examples. There are no obvious omissions to the text. European users might need to find equivalents for some small aspects e.g. soil nomenclature, but this does not detract from a text which is stimulating and comprehensive. A definite 'must-buy' for the library.