Presents an introduction to rivers and streams, including the effects they have had on human settlements and trade, and the physical geography of the earth; also examines the major rivers in the world, including the Nile, Amazon, and Ganges.
Presents an introduction to the oceans of the world, describing their evolution and modern formation, physical features and composition, waves and water circulation, their impact on climate, and some famous oceanographers of the past.
Presents the formation, composition, and maintenance of these intricate ecological units and the various life forms they support. Dramatic full-color photographs and in-depth profiles of Earths major lakes highlight the beauty and complexity of these regions.
Presents an introduction to the forests and grasslands of the world, describing their different forms, evolution and modern formation, physical features and composition, and their impact on climate.
Identifies the notable deserts and steppes of the world and describes their environmental conditions, plants, wildlife, peoples, and ecological issues.
Discusses the history of ecology and biodiversity conservation, stressing the importance of maintaining biologically diverse ecosystems and helping prevent unnatural extinctions of plant and animal species.
Introduces the dynamics of Earth's climate, discusses how climate interacts with living things and other parts of the Earth system, and investigates the cause and effect of previous changes.
Explains biomes and ecosystems, disucsses the importance of maintaining a healthy diversity among living things and their habitats, and describes ways life is created and sustained.
Explores the phenomenon of the mass extinction of species, beginning with a brief synopsis of historical geology, followed by an examination of major extinction events throughout Earth history, and a look at the major theories proposed as to why they occurred.
