Author: David Thomas
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691251975
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 400
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Book Description
A richly illustrated atlas of the world’s deserts and drylands, their ecosystems, and their environments Deserts and drylands account for more than 40 percent of land on our planet. Characterized by a lack of water and extreme temperatures, they are the result of atmospheric stability, large landmass characteristics, rain shadows, and cold ocean currents. They appear harsh and hostile, but deserts and drylands are also exceptionally beautiful environments. Desert ecosystems often teem with diverse forms of life that exhibit astonishing ingenuity in the face of such forbidding conditions. The World Atlas of Deserts and Drylands takes readers on a guided tour of some of the most awe-inspiring desert environments on Earth, explaining their environmental and ecological dynamics and describing the techniques used to categorize and map them. From the ever-expanding Gobi of Mongolia and China to the ancient Namib of coastal Africa, this is the ultimate reference book for deserts. Features a wealth of color photos, maps, and infographics Describes the resilient and complex biodiversity of the world’s desert and dryland terrains Covers subtropical deserts, continental deserts, rain shadow deserts, and ocean margin deserts Addresses the challenges posed by global warming and human activity, and discusses solutions and opportunities Written by a team of leading experts
Author: David Thomas
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691251983
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 400
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Book Description
A richly illustrated atlas of the world’s deserts and drylands, their ecosystems, and their environments Deserts and drylands account for more than 40 percent of land on our planet. Characterized by a lack of water and extreme temperatures, they are the result of atmospheric stability, large landmass characteristics, rain shadows, and cold ocean currents. They appear harsh and hostile, but deserts and drylands are also exceptionally beautiful environments. Desert ecosystems often teem with diverse forms of life that exhibit astonishing ingenuity in the face of such forbidding conditions. The World Atlas of Deserts and Drylands takes readers on a guided tour of some of the most awe-inspiring desert environments on Earth, explaining their environmental and ecological dynamics and describing the techniques used to categorize and map them. From the ever-expanding Gobi of Mongolia and China to the ancient Namib of coastal Africa, this is the ultimate reference book for deserts. Features a wealth of color photos, maps, and infographics Describes the resilient and complex biodiversity of the world’s desert and dryland terrains Covers subtropical deserts, continental deserts, rain shadow deserts, and ocean margin deserts Addresses the challenges posed by global warming and human activity, and discusses solutions and opportunities Written by a team of leading experts
Author: United Nations Environment Programme
Publisher: Hodder Arnold
ISBN: 9780340691663
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 182
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Book Description
The World Atlas of Desertification summarises the state of scientific knowledge on the drylands of the globe. Representing in graphic form the current stage of our understanding of desertification, as well as its extent and possible solutions, it contains an extraordinary amount of information of value to students and experts alike. The Atlas clearly shows that desertification is one of the world's most pressing environmental problems, and that it is a truly global issue. Since the publication of the first edition in 1992, over 100 countries have ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. This 2nd edition reflects major advances in our understanding of desertification over the past few years and has been thoroughly revised and expanded to almost twice its original size. Because combating desertification involves all aspects of environmental issues, this edition covers a broader range of topics, including concerns surrounding poverty, biodiversity, climate change and the availability of water. Social and economic conditions also have a major impact on the progress and control of desertification and this edition contains the latest information on population movements which result from, and lead to desertification. Desertification directly affects the livelihoods of more than one billion people who are directly dependent on the land for their survival. Using the latest updated digitised maps of desertification and fully referenced throughout, this Atlas is essential reading for everyone concerned with the drylands and their people.
Author: Nathaniel Harris
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 0203491661
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 358
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Book Description
Divided into chapters that concentrate on particular aspects of the deserts, their geology, life forms, history and future, this book describes the hostile and extreme environments that cover more than a seventh of the world's surface. Lavish photographs capture the stark beauty of each desert's colours and light; maps show the varying topography of different regions, and the enthralling text describes some of nature's most remarkable adaptations and humanity's most resourceful communities. The chapters are divided by spectacular picture essays that feature a detailed view of a particular region, such as California's Death Valley, portraying its landscape, natural life and human residents. Throughout the book, boxes highlight fascinating aspects of the story of the deserts, from how sand dunes are formed to how the sidewinder moves, from how the Bedouin cope with the desert to the cave-dwelling quartz miners of central Australia. Key Features: * Examines in detail all aspects of the deserts, their geology, geography, history, culture and biodiversity * Features chapters that provide in-depth analysis of specific aspects of deserts including desert formation, plant and animal inhabitants, natural and human resources, and the desert in past and modern times * Profiles numerous deserts around the world * Discusses the culture, life and history of the peoples who inhabit the deserts. Featured Deserts from Around the World: African Deserts * Sahara * Kalahari Desert * Namib Desert * Arabian Deserts Asian Deserts * Kara-Kum Desert * Taklimakan * Iranian Desert * Gobi Desert * Thar Desert American Deserts * Great Basin * The Atacama * Mojavi/Sonora * Patagonia * The Sechura Australia and the Poles * Western Australian Desert * Central Australian Desert * The Arctic * The Antarctic
Author: Herman Shugart
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691226741
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 400
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Book Description
A marvelously illustrated look at the world’s diverse forests and their ecosystems The earth’s forests are havens of nature supporting a diversity of life. Shaped by climate and geography, these vast and dynamic wooded spaces offer unique ecosystems that shelter complex and interdependent webs of flora, fungi, and animals. The World Atlas of Trees and Forests offers a beautiful introduction to what forests are, how they work, how they grow, and how we map, assess, and conserve them. Provides the most wide-ranging coverage of the world’s forests availableTakes readers beneath the breathtaking variety of wooded canopies that span the globeProfiles a wealth of tree species, with enlightening and entertaining natural-history highlights along the wayFeatures stunning color photos, maps, and graphicsDraws on the latest cutting-edge research and technology, including satellite imagery
Author: Andrew Goudie
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190295910
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 1520
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Book Description
The Oxford Companion to Global Change is an up-to-date, comprehensive, interdisciplinary guide to the range of issues surrounding natural and human-induced changes in the Earth's environment. In one convenient volume, the Companion brings together current knowledge about the relations between technological, social, demographic, economic, and political factors as well as biological, chemical, and physical systems. It is an essential reference work for students, teachers, researchers, and other professionals seeking to understand any aspect of global change.
Author: Rand McNally and Company
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780528834554
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 92
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Book Description
Presents maps showing the world's terrain, climate, major economic activities, and populations.
Author: Exequiel Ezcurra
Publisher: UNEP/Earthprint
ISBN: 9280727222
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 172
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Book Description
Namibia Business Intelligence Report - Practical Information, Opportunities, Contacts
Author: Andrew Goudie
Publisher:
ISBN: 0195108256
Category : Global environmental change
Languages : en
Pages : 1405
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Book Description
This reference work concentrates upon both the natural and man-made changes to the world's environment. Containing over 300 original, signed articles by distinguished scholars and 1,500 illustrations it is the comprehensive encyclopedia for this multi-discipline, high profile field. Articles fall into the general categories of: concepts of global change, earth and earth systems, human factors, resources, responses to global change agreements and associations, biographies and case studies. The accessible and jargon-free language make it an excellent work for the professional scholar as well as the interested general reader and a detail network of cross references and blind entries will help readers at all levels.
Author: Rand McNally
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780528834219
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 102
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Book Description
