Physics of desertification

Physics of desertification PDF Author: F. El-Baz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400943881
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 482

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Book Description
Deserts are parts of the Earth that receive little or no rain; 25 cm or less per year. The physical processes that act upon these parched lands are vastly different from those that shape the more humid parts of the terrestrial landmasses. In the desert, wind is a major agent of erosion and transportation. As the results of recent space missions have indicated, this is also true in the case of the planet Mars. Thus, our understanding of desert processes sheds light on fundamental planetary processes that may apply on any planetary body that is enveloped by a windy atmosphere. An understanding of the physical layout of arid lands, and the nature of processes that initiate changes therein is also fundamental to thoughtful utilization of these lands for the benefit of mankind. It is with this in mind that we prepared this book for publication. We believe that the collection of articles in this book will be useful to scientists who are interested in desert landforms and processes, and to planners of economic develop ment of arid lands. The book also serves as a guide for students as to the state of our knowledge in this field as well as to the topics that require additional research.

Physics of desertification

Physics of desertification PDF Author: F. El-Baz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400943881
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 482

Get Book Here

Book Description
Deserts are parts of the Earth that receive little or no rain; 25 cm or less per year. The physical processes that act upon these parched lands are vastly different from those that shape the more humid parts of the terrestrial landmasses. In the desert, wind is a major agent of erosion and transportation. As the results of recent space missions have indicated, this is also true in the case of the planet Mars. Thus, our understanding of desert processes sheds light on fundamental planetary processes that may apply on any planetary body that is enveloped by a windy atmosphere. An understanding of the physical layout of arid lands, and the nature of processes that initiate changes therein is also fundamental to thoughtful utilization of these lands for the benefit of mankind. It is with this in mind that we prepared this book for publication. We believe that the collection of articles in this book will be useful to scientists who are interested in desert landforms and processes, and to planners of economic develop ment of arid lands. The book also serves as a guide for students as to the state of our knowledge in this field as well as to the topics that require additional research.

Desertification of Arid Lands

Desertification of Arid Lands PDF Author: Harold E. Dregne
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 9783718601684
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
First Published in 1983. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Encyclopedia of Agrophysics

Encyclopedia of Agrophysics PDF Author: Jan GliƄski
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9048135842
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 1075

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Book Description
This Encyclopedia of Agrophysics will provide up-to-date information on the physical properties and processes affecting the quality of the environment and plant production. It will be a "first-up" volume which will nicely complement the recently published Encyclopedia of Soil Science, (November 2007) which was published in the same series. In a single authoritative volume a collection of about 250 informative articles and ca 400 glossary terms covering all aspects of agrophysics will be presented. The authors will be renowned specialists in various aspects in agrophysics from a wide variety of countries. Agrophysics is important both for research and practical use not only in agriculture, but also in areas like environmental science, land reclamation, food processing etc. Agrophysics is a relatively new interdisciplinary field closely related to Agrochemistry, Agrobiology, Agroclimatology and Agroecology. Nowadays it has been fully accepted as an agricultural and environmental discipline. As such this Encyclopedia volume will be an indispensable working tool for scientists and practitioners from different disciplines, like agriculture, soil science, geosciences, environmental science, geography, and engineering.

Frontiers In Physics, High Technology And Mathematics - Ictp 25th Anniversary Conference

Frontiers In Physics, High Technology And Mathematics - Ictp 25th Anniversary Conference PDF Author: Lundqvist Stig
Publisher: #N/A
ISBN: 981461176X
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 328

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Book Description
The International Centre for Theoretical Physics was founded in 1964 by Prof. Abdus Salam. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, a group of distinguished speakers was assembled to present overviews in Physics, High Technology and Mathematics with a look at the future. This Proceedings serves as a valuable record of this memorable occasion.

NASA Technical Memorandum

NASA Technical Memorandum PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aeronautics
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description


Geological Survey Circular

Geological Survey Circular PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Geology
Languages : en
Pages : 366

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Book Description


Ideals and Realities

Ideals and Realities PDF Author: Abdus Salam
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9789810200817
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 548

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Book Description
The latest edition of ?Ideals and Realities? includes some of the most recent talks given by Professor Abdus Salam. They replace a few essays which were published in the second edition. An attempt has also been made to update some of the figures rendered absolete with the passage of time.

Special Report

Special Report PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Arctic regions
Languages : en
Pages : 528

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Book Description


A Scientist Audits the Earth

A Scientist Audits the Earth PDF Author: Stuart Leonard Pimm
Publisher: Rutgers University Press
ISBN: 9780813535401
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 324

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Book Description
Humans use 50 percent of the world's freshwater supply and consume 42 percent of its plant growth. We are liquidating animals and plants one hundred times faster than the natural rate of extinction. Such numbers should make it clear that our impact on the planet has been, and continues to be, extreme and detrimental. Yet even after decades of awareness of our environmental peril, there remains passionate disagreement over what the problems are and how they should be remedied. Much of the impasse stems from the fact that the problems are difficult to quantify. How do we assess the impact of habitat loss on various species, when we haven't even counted them all? And just what factors go into that 42 percent of biomass we are hungrily consuming? It is only through an understanding of the numbers that we will be able to break that impasse and come to agreement on which environmental issues are most critical and how they might best be addressed. Working on the front lines of conservation biology, Stuart Pimm is one of the pioneers whose work has put the "science" in environmental science. In this book, he appoints himself "investment banker of the global, biological accounts," checking the environmental statistics gathered by tireless scientists in work that is always painstaking and often heartbreaking. With wit, passion, and candor, he reveals the importance of understanding where these numbers come from and what they mean. To do so, he takes the reader on a globe-circling tour of our beautiful, but weary, planet from the volcanic mountains and rainforests of Hawai'i to the boreal forests of Siberia. At times, the view looks rather grim. Yet Pimm, ever the optimist, presents a world filled with mysterious beauty, the infinite variety of nature, and an urgent hope that through an understanding of our planet's environmental past and present, we will be inspired to save it from future extinction.

The Arid Frontier

The Arid Frontier PDF Author: Hendrik J. Bruins
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401148880
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 379

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Book Description
The arid frontier has been a challenge for humanity from time immemorial. Drylands cover more than one-third of the global land surface, distributed over Africa, Asia, Australia, America and Southern Europe. Disasters may develop as a result of complex interactions between drought, desertification and society. Therefore, proactive planning and interactive management, including disaster-coping strategies, are essential in dealing with arid-frontier development. This book presents a conceptual framework with case studies in dryland development and management. The option of a rational and ethical discourse for development that is beneficial for both the environment and society is emphasized, avoiding extreme environmentalism and human destructionism, combating both desertification and human livelihood insecurity. Such development has to be based on appropriate ethics, legislation, policy, proactive planning and interactive management. Excellent scholars address these issues, focusing on the principal interactions between people and dryland environments in terms of drought, food, land, water, renewable energy and housing. Audience: This volume will be of great value to all those interested in Dryland Development and Management: professionals and policy-makers in governmental, international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as researchers, lecturers and students in Geography, Environmental Management, Regional Studies, Development Anthropology, Hazard and Disaster Management, Agriculture and Pastoralism, Land and Water Use, African Studies, and Renewable Energy Resources.