Peter Smithson is former Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of Sheffield. His research interests include: precipitation climatology (applications in UK, Sri Lanka and Brazil); cave climatology; and climate change, especially in semi-arid environments. He has over 50 publications, and over 40 refereed research papers in journals.Ken Addison is Senior Lecturer at the School of Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, and Fellow and Tutor in Physical Geography at St Peter's College, University of Oxford. His research interests include: Quaternary stratigraphy and geomorphology, with special interest in Wales; geotechnical and geomorphological studies of recent and contemporary slope stability; earth science conservation strategy and practice; and Medieval environmental change.Ken Atkinson is former Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of Leeds. His research interests include: soil science; ecosystems; and resource management. He has worked on environmental management in Canada for a number of years, and has co-organised six international conferences on Canadian resource management and planning.

'I still believe this book to be the best available introductory level text in the field.' - Matthew Bampton, University of Southern Maine 'The ideal text for environmental students to provide the foundation they need for understanding how the natural world works. This is plainly superior to standard earth system science treatments used in undergraduate teaching for its easily explored depth of enquiry, for the holistic picture it provides, for the clear graphical treatment of complex topics and for its simple and very natural organization. An overview of this scope and accessibility should be a "must read" for everyone concerned about the world's natural environment.' - Rick Hazlett, Pomona College, California 'The fourth edition takes this textbook firmly into a global society that is increasingly interested in the effects of climate change. New, updated and modernised chapters on current and future environmental change, weather-forming systems, climate forcing, and polar environments will strengthen its position amongst the top educational resources in physical geography and environmental sciences.' - Jaco H. Baas, Bangor University 'The best text for my first-year physical geography courses for over ten years...The authors are to be complimented on their clear and easy style.' - Chris Young, Christchurch University College, Canterbury 'If this book had been available during my undergraduate years, it would have saved me a lot of time and effort searching for several texts when this one book would have been sufficient... At such a reasonable price, this book is highly recommended for first year undergraduates who require a broad background in this field.' - International Journal of Environmental Education and Information, Vol 17, No.1, Jan 98 'This fourth edition contains numerous updated, in-depth discussions on topics organized under a systems approach and important to comprehensive study of the physical environment and Earth-based processes...Recommended.' - Choice, May 2009

• Part 1: Fundamentals 1. The Physical Environment: Scientific Concepts and Methods 2. Energy and Earth Part 2: Atmosphere 3. Heat and Energy in the Atmosphere 4. Moisture in the Atmosphere 5. Precipitation and Evapotranspiration 6. The Atmosphere in Action 7. Weather-Forming Systems 8. Micro and Local Climates 9. Climate Change Part 3: Geosphere 10. Earth's Geological Structure and Processes 11. The Global Ocean 12. Rock Formation and Deformation 13. Denudation, Weathering and Mass Wasting 14. Fluvial Systems: Catchments and Rivers 15. Cryosphere Systems: Glaciers, Ice and Permafrost 16. Aeolian Systems 17. Global Coastlines Part 4: Biosphere 18. Soils in their Environment 19. Soil Fertility and Sustainability 20. Principles of Biogeography 21. The Earth System and the Cycling of Carbon and Nutrients 22. Biodiversity in Ecosystems Part 5: Environments 23. Environmental Reconstruction: Principles and Practice 24. Polar and Alpine Environments 25. Mediterranean Environments 26. Tropical Deserts and Semi-Arid Environments 27. Humid Tropical Environments 28. Current and Future Environmental Change

Peter Smithson is former Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of Sheffield. His research interests include: precipitation climatology (applications in UK, Sri Lanka and Brazil); cave climatology; and climate change, especially in semi-arid environments. He has over 50 publications, and over 40 refereed research papers in journals.Ken Addison is Senior Lecturer at the School of Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, and Fellow and Tutor in Physical Geography at St Peter's College, University of Oxford. His research interests include: Quaternary stratigraphy and geomorphology, with special interest in Wales; geotechnical and geomorphological studies of recent and contemporary slope stability; earth science conservation strategy and practice; and Medieval environmental change.Ken Atkinson is former Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of Leeds. His research interests include: soil science; ecosystems; and resource management. He has worked on environmental management in Canada for a number of years, and has co-organised six international conferences on Canadian resource management and planning.

'I still believe this book to be the best available introductory level text in the field.' - Matthew Bampton, University of Southern Maine 'The ideal text for environmental students to provide the foundation they need for understanding how the natural world works. This is plainly superior to standard earth system science treatments used in undergraduate teaching for its easily explored depth of enquiry, for the holistic picture it provides, for the clear graphical treatment of complex topics and for its simple and very natural organization. An overview of this scope and accessibility should be a "must read" for everyone concerned about the world's natural environment.' - Rick Hazlett, Pomona College, California 'The fourth edition takes this textbook firmly into a global society that is increasingly interested in the effects of climate change. New, updated and modernised chapters on current and future environmental change, weather-forming systems, climate forcing, and polar environments will strengthen its position amongst the top educational resources in physical geography and environmental sciences.' - Jaco H. Baas, Bangor University 'The best text for my first-year physical geography courses for over ten years...The authors are to be complimented on their clear and easy style.' - Chris Young, Christchurch University College, Canterbury 'If this book had been available during my undergraduate years, it would have saved me a lot of time and effort searching for several texts when this one book would have been sufficient... At such a reasonable price, this book is highly recommended for first year undergraduates who require a broad background in this field.' - International Journal of Environmental Education and Information, Vol 17, No.1, Jan 98 'This fourth edition contains numerous updated, in-depth discussions on topics organized under a systems approach and important to comprehensive study of the physical environment and Earth-based processes...Recommended.' - Choice, May 2009

• Part 1: Fundamentals 1. The Physical Environment: Scientific Concepts and Methods 2. Energy and Earth Part 2: Atmosphere 3. Heat and Energy in the Atmosphere 4. Moisture in the Atmosphere 5. Precipitation and Evapotranspiration 6. The Atmosphere in Action 7. Weather-Forming Systems 8. Micro and Local Climates 9. Climate Change Part 3: Geosphere 10. Earth's Geological Structure and Processes 11. The Global Ocean 12. Rock Formation and Deformation 13. Denudation, Weathering and Mass Wasting 14. Fluvial Systems: Catchments and Rivers 15. Cryosphere Systems: Glaciers, Ice and Permafrost 16. Aeolian Systems 17. Global Coastlines Part 4: Biosphere 18. Soils in their Environment 19. Soil Fertility and Sustainability 20. Principles of Biogeography 21. The Earth System and the Cycling of Carbon and Nutrients 22. Biodiversity in Ecosystems Part 5: Environments 23. Environmental Reconstruction: Principles and Practice 24. Polar and Alpine Environments 25. Mediterranean Environments 26. Tropical Deserts and Semi-Arid Environments 27. Humid Tropical Environments 28. Current and Future Environmental Change