Basics of environmental science 2nd

List of Figures vii List of Tables xi Preface to the Second Edition xiii How to Use This Book xiii 1 Introduction 1 1. What is environmental science? 1 2. Environmental interactions, cycles, and systems 4 3. Ecology and environmentalism 7 4. History of environmental science 10 5. Changing attitudes to the natural world 13 Further reading 17 Notes 17 References 17 2 Earth Sciences 19 6. Formation and structure of the Earth 19 7. The formation of rocks, minerals, and geologic structures 23 8. Weathering 27 9. The evolution of landforms 30 10. Coasts, estuaries, sea levels 34 11. Energy from the Sun 37 12. Albedo and heat capacity 42 13. The greenhouse effect 44 14. The evolution, composition, and structure of the atmosphere 51 15. General circulation of the atmosphere 54 16. Oceans, gyres, currents 59 17. Weather and climate 64 18. Glacials, interglacials, and interstadials 68 19. Dating methods 73 20. Climate change 76 21. Climatic regions and floristic regions 81 Further reading 86 Notes 87 References 87 3 Physical Resources 90 22. Fresh water and the hydrologic cycle 90 23. Eutrophication and the life cycle of lakes 95 24. Salt water, brackish water, and desalination 99 25. Irrigation, waterlogging, and salinization 103 26. Soil formation, ageing, and taxonomy 107 27. Transport by water and wind 111 28. Soil, climate, and land use 115 29. Soil erosion and its control 119 30. Mining and processing of fuels 123 31. Mining and processing of minerals 130 Further reading 135 Note 135 References 135 Contents / v 4 Biosphere 137 32. Biosphere, biomes, biogeography 137 33. Major biomes 141 34. Nutrient cycles 147 35. Respiration and photosynthesis 151 36. Trophic relationships 151 37. Energy, numbers, biomass 160 38. Ecosystems 163 39. Succession and climax 168 40. Arrested successions 172 41. Colonization 176 42. Stability, instability, and reproductive strategies 179 43. Simplicity and diversity 183 44. Homoeostasis, feedback, regulation 188 45. Limits of tolerance 192 Further reading 197 References 197 5 Biological Resources 200 46. Evolution 200 47. Evolutionary strategies and game theory 206 48. Adaptation 210 49. Dispersal mechanisms 214 50. Wildlife species and habitats 218 51. Biodiversity 222 52. Fisheries 227 53. Forests 233 54. Farming for food and fibre 239 55. Human populations and demographic change 249 56. Genetic engineering 250 Further reading 257 Notes 257 References 258 6 Environmental Management 261 57. Wildlife conservation 261 58. Zoos, nature reserves, wilderness 265 59. Pest control 269 60. Restoration ecology 274 61. World conservation strategies 237 62. Pollution control 281 63 Hazardous waste 287 64. Transnational pollution 288 Further reading 296 References 296 End of book summary 298 Glossary 300 Bibliography 307 Index 316