![The Earth's Land Surface]( "The Earth's Land Surface")
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About this book
This introductory text details the land surface of the earth in a readable style covering the major issues, key themes and sensitivities of the environments/landscape. Emphasising the major ideas and their development, each chapter includes case studies and details of influential scientists (not necessarily geomorphologists) who have contributed to the progress of understanding.
Providing a very clear explanation of the understanding achieved and of the debates that have arisen, the book is comprised of 12 chapters in four sections: visualising the land surface explains and explores the composition of the land surface and outlines how it has been studied; dynamics of the land surface considers the dynamics affecting the earth's land surface including its influences, processes and the changes that have occurred; environments of the land surface looks to understand the land surface in major world regions highlighting differences between the areas; and, management of the land surface is an examination of the current and future prospects of the management of the earth's land surface.
With comprehensive pedagogical features including full colour plates, further reading, questions for discussion and glossary, this original, lively text is authored by one of the leading experts in the field and will be core reading for first and second year undergraduates on all physical geography courses.
Contents
Preface Visualizing the Land Surface Recognizing the Land Surface? Study of the Land Surface Dynamic of the Land Surface Controls of the Land Surface Processes and Dynamics of the Land Surface: Landform Evolution The Changing surface: Evolution of Landscapes Environments of the Land Surface World Surface Landscapes Polar regions: Arctic, Antarctic and High Latitudes Temperate and Mediterranean Environments Arid Environments Humid and Seasonally Humid Tropics Urban Landscapes Management of the Land Surface Future Land Surfaces: Management of change Glossary
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Textbook
By: Kenneth John Gregory
348 pages, Col & b/w figs, tabs
Ken Gregory has produced a concise but comprehensive guide to geomorphology which is characterised by a very clear text, superbly useful tables, and some mini-biographies of some of the leading figures in the discipline. It is particularly strong on the different types of geomorphological environments, including those of cities Professor Andrew Goudie University of Oxford
Founded on his long and distinguished career as a geomorphologist, Ken Gregory has produced a stimulating and far-reaching overview of the subject. In this volume he explores geomorphology from numerous perspectives, considering how the discipline has evolved, the processes and landforms that are at its core, and how these forms and processes change in different environments across the Earth's land surface. Throughout, the book explores trajectories of change as well as spatial variations in land surface characteristics and dynamics, and it emphasises the increasing significance of human activities. The book is written in an accessible style. It succeeds in providing both detail and perspective by including within each chapter a wealth of excellent, information rich tables; carefully chosen further reading; a list of topics for further study; and short profiles of one of the key players in the development of the specific area of the subject. As Gregory admits, not everyone will agree with his selection of the twelve profiled scientists, but their profiles undoubtedly help to bring the study of geomorphology to life. This book has great potential to act as a companion volume for undergraduate study of geomorphology at all levels, providing a springboard from which a programme of detailed literature research can develop. It also provides an excellent source of information for anyone who needs a well-informed, easy to use reference volume to introduce them to the fascinating complexities of the earth's land surface, past, present and future Professor Angela Gurnell Department of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London
