Environmental Change (Contemp Prob Geog Ser) 07 - Softcover

Andrew S. Goudie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198740743 ISBN 13: 9780198740742

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1977

Synopsis

We are in the grip of global warming, so we are told: sea levels are rising; glaciers are melting; meteorological events are becoming more extreme. But to what extent are these differences a deviation from the norm or merely part of an ongoing cycle of change? How can they be put into perspective? Global Environments through the Quaternary delves into the environmental changes that have taken place during the Quaternary: the two to three million years during which man has inhabited the Earth. Taking the reader through the Pleistocene and the Holocene, the book describes the evidence that has helped us to characterize environmental changes during these two epochs. It then explores the changes captured by more recent meteorological records in the period up to the present day. Current climate change research foretells of potentially catastrophic sea-level changes in the future; chapter seven examines sea-level changes throughout the Quaternary, putting current concerns into perspective. The book closes with a look at the environmental basis of climate change - and the impact of human activity upon it. Global Environments through the Quaternary captures our current understanding of the field within in a vibrant, two-colour text design, using many custom-drawn figures to help students visualise the concepts being presented. With climate change - itself but part of a the perpetual process of environmental change - as fierce a topic of debate now as at any other time, Global Environments through the Quaternary is essential reading for any students seeking a balanced, objective overview of this truly interdisciplinary subject. Online Resource Centre: The Online Resource Centre features figures from the book available to download, to facilitate lecture preparation

About this title

About the Author

Andrew Goudie is at University of Oxford.

Review

"Honest, cautious, and very informative."--Geographical Review

"Fluent, impressively researched, bold...an impressive achievement."--Nature

"In content and presentation (with attractive format, clear maps and diagrams, and a reasonable price), this book seems quite excellent; and that no serious student of physical geography, whether he be first- or second-year undergraduate or otherwise, should be without it is, to my mind, indisputable."--Geographical Journal

"A very good text for its coverage of the physical basis of environmental change over the last 3 million years. The new edition takes account of recent developments well."--A.M. Mannion, University of Reading

"A significant revision of a well established text in Environmental Change. Priced within the reach of undergraduates. Its strength is in the evidence for, and the courses of, environmental change."--G.H. Smith, Oxford University

"Excellent, clear introduction to the topic."--I. Douglas, University of Manchester

"An excellent text, well illustrated, and very readable. This revised edition is a great improvement over the last, and contains much new information. All students of Quaternary Sciences should be urged to read it!"--Sarah O'Hara, University of Sheffield

"This is a fine piece of work and will be a useful reference to undergraduate and graduate students interested in Quaternary geology, physical geography, and paleoecology. It is well written, and the text is supported by an excellent selection of illustrations. The nontechnical language makes it accessible to individuals who are not experienced Quaternary scientists....Given the need to understand the magnitude and frequency of Quaternary environmental changes, as well as the nature and chronology of those changes, geoarchaeologists should add this book to their library." --International Journal of Geoarchaeology

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1977
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198740743
• ISBN 13: 9780198740742
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 244