Fundamentals of the physical environment

How do physical, biological and human environments interact?
Fundamentals of the Physical Environment presents a comprehensive introduction to the study of the natural environment. This completely rewritten and expanded edition of the classic student textbook Fundamentals of Physical Geography, adopts a systems approach to explain the complex interactions of the natural environment.
The nature of Earth and its oceans; the Earth's climate and the potential impact of climate change; the main processes of geomorphology; and elements of ecosystems (soils and vegetation) are all explained. Chapters on sensitive environments are included in this new edition - polar, Mediterranean, drylands and humid tropical environments - through which the processes introduced in earlier chapters are explored and human-environment interactions are analyzed. Topical global environmental problems such as global warming, population explosion and pressures of economic development, are discussed throughout.
Accessibly and authoritatively written, this new edition draws on local and global scale examples from around the world to offer students an essential introduction to the complexities of the physical environment.
Specific features include:
* Clearly structured and accessible text
* Superb illustrations: 4-colour plate sections; over 400 informative illustrations
* Glossary of terms and key words highlighted throughout the text
* Global case studies boxed throughout
* Chapter summaries and key points
* Annotated further reading lists.
A Lecturers' Manual is available to accompany the text.

Peter Smithson is Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of Sheffield; David Briggs is Research Director at Nene College, Northampton; Ken Atkinson is Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of Leeds; Ken Addison is Senior Lecturer at the School of Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton and Tutor in Physical Geography at St Peter's College, Oxford.