Environmental Systems: An Introductory TextAny book is a compromise between the original develop, as does its social and cultural context. aspirations of the author(s) and the realities of New research findings enhance understanding or publication. For this reason reviewers, are often open new avenues of endeavour, which, with in able to take issue not so much with the substantive ductive reasoning, extend the frontiers of the field. content of a book, but with pragmatic decisions New paradigms emerge, and private and public imposed on authors by this need to compromise. attitudes and values change. In short, a book is an The first edition of this book was no exception, ephemeral entity, providing at best a synoptic for the breadth of its canvas made compromise picture: a particular view of the world which is inevitable if its focus on functioning environmental sooner or later out of date and superseded. The systems was not to be lost. Although, hopefully, it first edition of this book, however, was fortunate has proved to be a successful compromise, several in being a little ahead of its time in anticipating such decisions have been questioned, partly by some of the changes which have occurred since its reviewers, partly by feedback from students and publication. The preface to the first edition stated teachers using the book. |
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Environmental Systems: An Introductory Text I. D. White,D. N. Mottershead,Steven John Harrison Limited preview - 1998 |
Common terms and phrases
acid animals atmosphere atoms autotrophic beach biomass biosphere carbon carbon dioxide catchment basin cell channel Chapter chemical circulation clay climatic coastal complex components crust crustal cycle density denudation system deposition detritivores dioxide drainage dune Earth's surface Ecology ecosystem effect elements entropy environment environmental equilibrium erosion evaporation flow force forest functional Geomorphology glacial glacier gradient heat energy herbivores heterotrophic increase input ions kinetic energy land surface landscape latitudes layer lithosphere loss mass material mechanical minerals molecules movement nitrogen nutrient ocean organic oxidation oxygen particles pathways periglacial photosynthesis plants population precipitation pressure processes production regolith relationships relative river rock runoff sand scale sediment shear shear stress slope soil solar radiation spatial species stream stress structure Table temperature terrestrial tidal tion transfer transport trophic levels tropical variation vegetation velocity water molecules wave weathering wind zone