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
Seasonality
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
UNIT 9: Circulation Patterns of the Atmosphere
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
Lifting Mechanisms That Produce Precipitation
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
The Polar (E) 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
Ecological Zoogeography and Conservation
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
The Mechanism of Plate Motion
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
Drainage Basins and Sediment Yields
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
Glacial Movement and Erosion
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
