Routledge Introductions to Environment: Environmental Science – serie

Environmental Biology offers an accessible introduction to the core elements of biology and the biosphere. With balanced coverage of acquatic and terrestrial examples throughout, the text builds logically to present a clear understanding of the fundamental processes of life before examining its more complex components, namely individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems.A knowledge of environmental biology and its practical applications is essential for a deeper understanding of the environment. Environmental Biology offers an invaluable introduction to the living environment for all areas of study, from environmental history, agriculture and forestry, to impact assessment, climate change, ecology and conservation.

Natural Environmental Change offers a concise introduction to this key topic in the study of the environment, geography, and earth science. Illustrated throughout, each chapter provides a broad spectrum of international case studies and further reading guides. Introductory chapters examine the theories of environmental change and provide a summary of Earth history. The records of environmnetal change are then explained, as revealed by data from various archives such as ocean sediment, ice core, terrestrial deposits such as glacial moraines and lake sediments, tree rings, and historical and meteorological records. Final chapters detail the changes that have occured in high, middle and low lattitudes, and the book concludes with a critical assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current understanding. An extensive bibliography will also prove invaluable to those studying in this area.

Natural Environmental Change offers a concise introduction to this key topic in the study of the environment, geography, and earth science. Illustrated throughout, each chapter provides a broad spectrum of international case studies and further reading guides. Introductory chapters examine the theories of environmental change and provide a summary of Earth history. The records of environmnetal change are then explained, as revealed by data from various archives such as ocean sediment, ice core, terrestrial deposits such as glacial moraines and lake sediments, tree rings, and historical and meteorological records. Final chapters detail the changes that have occured in high, middle and low lattitudes, and the book concludes with a critical assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current understanding. An extensive bibliography will also prove invaluable to those studying in this area.

Atmospheric Processes and Systems presents a concise introduction to the atmosphere and the fundamentals of weather. Examining different aspects of the mass, energy and circulation systems in the atmosphere, this text provides detailed accounts of specific phenomena, including* the composition and structure of the atmosphere* energy transfers* the cycle of atmospheric water in terms of evaporation, condensation and precipitation* pressure and winds at the primary or global scale* secondary air masses and fronts* thermal differences and weather disturbances.The text includes sixteen boxed case studies, annotated further reading lists and a glossary of key terms.

Atmospheric Processes and Systems presents a concise introduction to the atmosphere and the fundamentals of weather. Examining different aspects of the mass, energy and circulation systems in the atmosphere, this text provides detailed accounts of specific phenomena, including* the composition and structure of the atmosphere* energy transfers* the cycle of atmospheric water in terms of evaporation, condensation and precipitation* pressure and winds at the primary or global scale* secondary air masses and fronts* thermal differences and weather disturbances.The text includes sixteen boxed case studies, annotated further reading lists and a glossary of key terms.

Using Statistics to Understand the Environment covers all the basic tests required for environmental practicals and projects and points the way to the more advanced techniques that may be needed in more complex research designs. Following an introduction to project design, the book covers methods to describe data, to examine differences between samples, and to identify relationships and associations between variables.Featuring: worked examples covering a wide range of environmental topics, drawings and icons, chapter summaries, a glossary of statistical terms and a further reading section, this book focuses on the needs of the researcher rather than on the mathematics behind the tests.

Using Statistics to Understand the Environment covers all the basic tests required for environmental practicals and projects and points the way to the more advanced techniques that may be needed in more complex research designs. Following an introduction to project design, the book covers methods to describe data, to examine differences between samples, and to identify relationships and associations between variables.Featuring: worked examples covering a wide range of environmental topics, drawings and icons, chapter summaries, a glossary of statistical terms and a further reading section, this book focuses on the needs of the researcher rather than on the mathematics behind the tests.

Environmental Physics is a comprehensive introduction to the physical concepts underlying environmental science. The importance and relevance of physics is emphasised by its application to real environmental problems with a wide range of case studies. Applications included cover energy use and production, global climate, the physics of living things, radioactivity, environmental remote sensing, noise pollution and the physics of the Earth. The book makes the subject accessible to those with little physics background, keeping mathematical treatment straightforward. The text is lively and informative, and is supplemented by numerous illustrations, photos, tables of useful data, and a glossary of key terms.

Coastal Systems offers a concise introduction to the processes, landforms, ecosystems, and management of coasts. Each chapter is illustrated and includes topical case studies from around the world such as:* Tsunami's in Papua New Guinea* cliff collapse in Southern England* the Great Barrier Reef* the Indian 'Super Cyclone' of 1999* the impact of development in the Florida Keys.Introductory chapters establish the importance of coasts and explain how they are studied within a system framework. Subsequent chapters explore the role of waves, rivers and sea level changes in coastal evolution. The final chapter reviews the human pressures and management of coastal systems.

Many controversial issues revolve around complex scientific arguments which can be better understood with at least a minimal knowledge and understanding of the chemical reactions and processes going on in the world around us.This textbook offers an accessible introduction to chemical principles and concepts, and applies them to relevant environmental situations and issues. Written for students who have not taken A' level chemistry, this book bridges the gap between GSCE chemistry and first year undergraduate level.

Many controversial issues revolve around complex scientific arguments which can be better understood with at least a minimal knowledge and understanding of the chemical reactions and processes going on in the world around us.This textbook offers an accessible introduction to chemical principles and concepts, and applies them to relevant environmental situations and issues. Written for students who have not taken A' level chemistry, this book bridges the gap between GSCE chemistry and first year undergraduate level.

In examining both theory and applications, this book, through useful examples, provides a stimulating introduction to ecosystems. It examines the nature, types and characteristics of ecosystems as well as investigating the interactions between various systems and human actions. Using functional ecology as the basis for applying the ecosystem concept in contemporary environmental science and ecology, this second edition of this highly successful volume has been updated to reflect the latest research. It incorporates a strengthened theme in the use of functional ecology in explaining how ecosystems work and how the ecosystem concept may be used in science and applied science, and coverage of the interactions between humans and ecosystems has been substantially bolstered with the addition of chapters on human impacts and large scale impacts on ecosystems, and global environmental change and the consequences for ecosystems.Presented in a student-friendly format, this book features boxed definitions, examples, case studies, summary points, discussion questions and annotated further reading lists. It provides a concise and accessible synthesis of both ecosystem theory and its applications, and will be a valuable resource for students of environmental studies, ecology and geography.

In examining both theory and applications, this book, through useful examples, provides a stimulating introduction to ecosystems. It examines the nature, types and characteristics of ecosystems as well as investigating the interactions between various systems and human actions. Using functional ecology as the basis for applying the ecosystem concept in contemporary environmental science and ecology, this second edition of this highly successful volume has been updated to reflect the latest research. It incorporates a strengthened theme in the use of functional ecology in explaining how ecosystems work and how the ecosystem concept may be used in science and applied science, and coverage of the interactions between humans and ecosystems has been substantially bolstered with the addition of chapters on human impacts and large scale impacts on ecosystems, and global environmental change and the consequences for ecosystems.Presented in a student-friendly format, this book features boxed definitions, examples, case studies, summary points, discussion questions and annotated further reading lists. It provides a concise and accessible synthesis of both ecosystem theory and its applications, and will be a valuable resource for students of environmental studies, ecology and geography.

The coast represents the crossroads between the oceans, land and atmosphere, and all three contribute to the physical and ecological evolution of coastlines. Coasts are dynamic systems, with identifiable inputs and outputs of energy and material. Changes to input force coasts to respond, often in dramatic ways as attested by the impacts of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, the landfall of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast of the USA in 2005, and the steady rise of global warming driven sea-level. More than half the world’s human population lives at the coast, and here people often come into conflict with natural coastal processes. Research continues to unravel the relationship between coastal processes and society, so that we may better appreciate, understand, manage and live safely within this unique global environment.Coastal Systems offers a concise introduction to the processes, landforms, ecosystems and management of this important global environment. New to the second edition is a greater emphasis on the role of high-energy events, such as storms and tsunamis, which have manifested themselves with catastrophic effects in recent years. There is also a new concluding chapter, and updated guides to the ever-growing coastal literature. Each chapter is illustrated and furnished with topical case studies from around the world. Introductory chapters establish the importance of coasts, and explain how they are studied within a systems framework. Subsequent chapters explore the role of waves, tides, rivers and sea-level change in coastal evolution. Students will benefit from summary points, themed boxes, engaging discussion questions and new graded annotated guides to further reading at the end of each chapter. Additionally, a comprehensive glossary of technical terms and an extensive bibliography are provided. The book is highly illustrated with diagrams and original plates. The comprehensive balance of illustrations and academic thought provides a well balanced view between the role of coastal catastrophes and gradual processes, also examining the impact humans and society have and continue to have on the coastal environment.