PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY: THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT

FIFTH EDITION

UNIT 1: Introducing Physical Geography

Geography

Physical Geography and the Scientific Method

Systems and Models in Physical Geography

Geographic Magnitude

PART ONE: A Planetary Perspective

UNIT 2: The Planet Earth

Earth’s Shape and Size

Spheres of the Earth System

Earth’s Hemispheres

Continents and Oceans

UNIT 3: Mapping Earth’s Surface

Location on Earth

Depicting Earth: Map Projections

Map Interpretation: Isolines

Evolving Cartographic Technology

UNIT 4: Earth–Sun Relationships

Earth’s Planetary Motions

Insolation and Its Variation

UNIT 5: Radiation and the Heat Balance of Planet Earth

Energy and Heat Transfer

Global Energy Balance

Making Sense of Global Energetics

PART TWO: Atmospheric and Oceanic Processes

UNIT 6: Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere

Atmospheric Constituents

The Origin, Evolution, and Maintenance of the Atmosphere

Contents and Arrangement of the Atmosphere

The Layered Structure of the Atmosphere

UNIT 7: Temperatures of the Lower Atmosphere

What Is Temperature?

Temperature in the Troposphere

The Horizontal Distribution of Temperature

UNIT 8: Air Pressure and Winds

Atmospheric Pressure

Air Movement in the Atmosphere

Large-Scale Wind Systems

Small-Scale Wind Systems

A Model of the Surface Circulation

The Actual Surface Circulation Pattern

Secondary Surface Circulation: Monsoonal Windflows

Circulation of the Upper Atmosphere

UNIT 10: Circulation of the World Ocean

The Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere System

Generation of Ocean Currents

Wind-driven Flow

The Geography of Ocean Currents

El Niño–Southern Oscillation

UNIT 11: Atmospheric Moisture and the Water Balance

The Physical Properties of Water

Measuring Water Vapor

The Hydrologic Cycle

Evaporation

Condensation and Clouds

Precipitation

The Surface Water Balance

UNIT 12: Precipitation, Air Masses, and Fronts

Air Masses in the Atmosphere

UNIT 13: Weather Systems

Low-Latitude Weather Systems

Weather Systems of the Middle and Higher Latitudes

Energy and Moisture Within Weather Systems

PART THREE: Climate and Climate Change

UNIT 14: Climate Classification and Regionalization

Classifying Climates

The Köppen Climate Classification System

The Size and Regional Distribution of Climate Types

Extent and Boundaries of Climate Regions

UNIT 15: Tropical (A) and Arid (B) Climates

The Major Tropical (A) Climates

The Major Arid (B) Climates

UNIT 16: Mild Midlatitude (C) Climates

The Perpetually Moist (Cf) Climates

The Dry-Summer (Cs) Climates

The Dry-Winter (Cw) Climates

UNIT 17: Higher Latitude (D, E) and High-Altitude (H) Climates

The Major Severe Midlatitude (D) Climates

High-Altitude (H) Climates

UNIT 18: Natural Climate Change

The Nature of Climatic Change

Climate Indicators

Climate Change Mechanisms and Feedbacks

Earth’s Climate History

UNIT 19: Human Impacts on Climate

Human Impact on Climate: Processes

Global Warming Observed: Temperature Change in the Industrial Period

Implicating Humans in Observed Global Warming

Future Human Impacts on Climate

PART FOUR: The Biosphere

UNIT 20: Biogeochemical Cycles

Building Blocks Of Life

Soil And Vegetation: A Critical Interface

UNIT 21: Formation of Soils

The Formation of Soil

Soil Profiles

Soil Regimes
UNIT 22: Properties of Soil

Sol and Ped

Physical Properties of Soil

Chemical Properties of Soil

Soils of Hills and Valleys

Development of the Soil System

UNIT 23: Classification and Mapping of Soils

Classifying Soils

Soil Taxonomy

UNIT 24: Biogeographic Processes

Dynamics of the Biosphere

Plant Succession

Geographic Dispersal

UNIT 25: The Global Distribution of Plants

Biomes

Principal Terrestrial Biomes

UNIT 26: Zoogeography: Spatial Aspects of Animal Populations

Emergence of Zoogeography

Range, Habitat, and Niche

Processes of Evolution

Earth’s Zoogeographic Realms

PART FIVE: The Restless Crust

UNIT 27: Minerals and Igneous Rocks

Minerals

Classification of Rock Types

Igneous Rocks

UNIT 28: Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

The Rock Cycle

UNIT 29: Planet Earth in Profile: The Layered Interior

Evidence of Earth’s Internal Structure

Earth’s Internal Layers

Earth’s Outer Layers

The Crustal Surface

UNIT 30: Plates of the Lithosphere

Wegener’s Hypothesis

Plate Tectonics

Movement of Plates

UNIT 31: Plate Movement: Causes and Effects

Isostasy

Evolution of the Continents

UNIT 32: Volcanism and Its Landforms

Distribution of Volcanic Activity

Volcanic Landforms

Hot Spots

Volcanoes and Human History

Landscapes of Volcanism

UNIT 33: Earthquakes and Landscapes

What Produces Earthquakes?

Measuring Earthquake Strength

Tsunamis

Earthquake Damage

Earthquake Distribution

Earthquakes and Landscapes

UNIT 34: Faults, Folds, and Landscapes

Terminology of Structure

Faults

Fold Structures

Regional Deformation
PART SIX: Sculpting the Surface: Weathering, Mass Movements, and Flowing Water

UNIT 35: The Formation of Landforms and Landscapes

Processes That Shape Landforms and Landscapes

Gravity, Slopes, and Relief

Erosion and Tectonics

UNIT 36: Weathering Processes

Mechanical Weathering

Chemical Weathering

Biological Weathering

Geography of Weathering

UNIT 37: Mass Movements

Slope Stability and Mass Movement

Forms of Mass Movement

The Importance of Mass Movements

UNIT 38: Water in the Lithosphere

Water at the Surface

Water Beneath the Surface

Human Use of Groundwater

UNIT 39: Slopes and Streams

Erosion of Slopes by Water

The Work of Streams

The River as a System

UNIT 40: Landscapes Shaped by Stream Erosion

Factors Affecting the Patterns of Stream Erosion

Drainage Patterns

Overcoming Geologic Structure

Long-Term Evolution of the Landscape

UNIT 41: Landforms of the Fluvial System

Alluvial Fans

Landforms of River Valleys

Deltas

UNIT 42: Karst Processes and Landforms

Karst Development

Groundwater in Karst Regions

Karst Landforms and Landscapes

Karst and Caves

PART SEVEN: Sculpting the Surface: Ice, Wind, and Coastal Processes

UNIT 43: Glacial Erosion and Deposition

Glaciers of the Past

The Glacier as a System

UNIT 44: Landforms and Landscapes of Continental Glaciation

Ice Sheets Present and Past

North America’s Glaciations

Landscapes Shaped by Continental Ice Sheets

The Great Lakes and Their Evolution

Pluvial Lakes

UNIT 45: Landforms and Landscapes of Mountain Glaciers

Global Distribution of Mountain Glaciers Today

Erosional Landforms of Mountain Glaciers

Depositional Landforms of Mountain Glaciers

UNIT 46: Periglacial Environments and Landscapes

Permafrost

Geomorphic Processes in Periglacial Environments

Landforms of Periglacial Regions

Understanding Periglacial Environments

UNIT 47: Wind as a Geomorphic Agent

Wind Erosion

Wind Transportation

Landforms Shaped by Wind

Erosional Landforms
Dunes

Loess

UNIT 48: Coastal Processes

Waves

Erosion and Transportation of Sediment by Wave Action

Tides

Storms and Crustal Movements

UNIT 49: Coastal Landforms and Landscapes

Depositional Landforms

Erosional Landforms

Coastal Landscapes

Living Shorelines