Product Description
Channelized Rivers Perspectives for Environmental Management Andrew Brookes Environmental Consultant, Reading, UK For centuries engineers have modified river channels in order to control floods, drain land, prevent erosion and improve navigation. The natural shape of many rivers has been dramatically changed, often with dire environmental consequences. This book demonstrates the role fluvial geomorphology can play in the design of river channels, both to lessen environmental impact and to enhance the success of channelization schemes. It considers the physical and biological impacts of channelization, the repercussions downstream and in the adjacent floodplain. Revised procedures and designs are proposed which minimize harsh environmental impacts. The interdisciplinary approach of the book offers river managers the opportunity to make more environmentally sensitive decisions in the course of their work. The book will be of great interest to geomorphologists, biologists and civil engineers working in the water industry. ... Read more

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This is a completely revised and updated edition of David Knighton's River Forms and Processes. Looking at the wide range of forms developed by natural rivers and the processes responsible for that development, the book combines empirical and theoretical approaches, and provides a critical assessment of the many schools of thought which have emerged for dealing with adjustment in the fluvial system. It is fully illustrated throughout by a superb range of figures, photographs and tables.

Starting with the network scale, the book examines the interaction of hillslopes, drainage networks and channels, and goes on to considerations of catchment hydrology and catchment denudation. Fluvial processes are analysed in detail, from the mechanics of flow to sediment transport and deposition. Detailing the major components of river channels, the book examines the nature of river adjustment, particularly with respect to equilibrium concepts, and concludes with a look at channel changes through time, affected by flood discharges, climatic change and human activities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very good reference for applied fluvial geomorphology
As a practicing fluvial geomorphologist with 25 years of experience in river restoration and management, this is one is in the top dozen I reach for when I have fundamental questions or need a reference for a report.Should be on your bookshelf if you do this work.

A hard read, but lots of good info
This book is basically a lit review of everything fluvial geomorphology.It is a great resource, but a bit difficult to read.One frustrating thing is that because it is so extensive in what it covers, it never give you a definitave answer.Instead it will give you every argument from every side.That's good if that's what you're after.

Good text on fluvial processes.
This text is very informative and I really didn't appreciate it when I took my first fluvial geomorphology course.However as I became more acquanited with hydrology and environmental engineering, I also gained a better appreciation for this text.In my opinion, it is written for upper level undergrad and grad students because they will most likley get more from the text. ... Read more

Product Description
Since the first edition the The Little Ice Age, was published in 1988, interest in climatic history has grown rapidly and research in the area has flourished.A vast amount of new data has become available from sources such as ice cores, speleothems and tree-rings. The picture that we have of past climates and glacier oscillations has extended further into the past and has become more detailed. However, the knowledge of climate change on the decennial and centennial time-scale, to which glacier history can contribute, is scarce and is in demand for attempting to predict future change, especially with regard to global warming. New chapters and material have been included throughout the book and these tend to confirm and elaborate on earlier conclusions of the first edition. ... Read more

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This monograph is a definitive work on the theory of unsaturated flow: the flow of subsurface water in zones above the water table.It offers a unique perspective on the application of continuum mechanics, thermodynamics, and kinetic theory to the understanding of these fluid flows in unsaturated porous media.Energy relations, including equilibrium thermodynamics, appear throughout.The partial differential equations of motion are derived using the principle of conservation of momentum.Chapters on instrumental methods and statistical methods of data analysis round out the book. The intended audience includes soil science and engineering professionals concerned with the applications of unsaturated flow and graduate students in hydrology and earth sciences. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is the first study of the karst areas of China by a Western geomorphologist. Almost all the sources for the book are from Chinese work, never published in the West. Chinese methods of studying karst differ somewhat from those in the West and these are discussed, analyzed and evaluated. Karst areas are sensitive to environmental influences and Chinese attempts to deal with these are discussed. The book is illustrated by many diagrams from Chinese sources and the author's own photographs. Comparisons between karst areas in Europe and elsewhere are made with those in China. ... Read more

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The Geomorphological Hazards of Europe contains an excellent balance of authoritative statements on the range and causes of natural hazards in Europe. Written in a clear and unpretentious style, it removes myths and concentrates on the basic facts.

The book looks at the known distributions, processes and the underlying principles and focuses on the need for a true understanding of the scientific details so that a real contribution to hazard management can be made.

A comprehensive treatment of scientific and management issues of hazards in Europe caused by natural or sometimes human induced earth surface processes are covered including floods, landslides, avalanches, glacier-, coastal-, karstic-, and volcanic hazards, soil erosion and subsidence.

Leading researchers in the field of natural hazards and their mitigation have contributed to this nation by nation account covering 20 European countries. The individual chapters deal with the distribution of natural hazards within specific countries (quite often the first synthesis of the information available) and

• provide a review of current research in the field

• discuss the economic, engineering and policy responses in national hazard management

• are complemented by an extensive bibliography.

The volume is well illustrated with 207 figures of which 66 are photos and has an extensive general index and a complete index of place names. It is a major European contribution to the International Decade for Natural Disasters Reduction.

The book will appeal to practitioners, managers, academicians, researchers, as well as graduate students in geomorphlogy, natural hazards research and environmental management. ... Read more

Product Description
The first comprehensive works of the significance of the paleoenvironmental record as contained in the layered chronologies of glaciers and polar ice sheets. Sixteen papers assess the status and research results on the physical and chemical analyses of ice cores. Contributors discuss geophysical and climate modelling, paleo-atmospheric chemistry, influence of carbon dioxide changes, impact of cosmic, solar, and terrestrial events and disturbances. ... Read more

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This volume consists of twenty chapters addressing different aspects of the theme of fluvial processes and environmental change. The overall coverage is broad; scientifically, (from modelling to alluvial dating), geographically (from arid zone flash-flooding to glacial meltwaters) and in time (from contemporary process studies to the Quaternary). The introductory chapter sets the context, which is an attempt to show how studies of fluvial processes can help us in understanding and therefore predicting the impact of environmental change on our rivers, riverine resources and landscapes. Environmental change includes both climatic factors, however caused, and human impacts on river basins. The differentiation of these two factors is discussed in several chapters whilst others take a more holistic approach. Both climatic and human factors have, and will remain, to act together and so their interactions need to be understood. Fluvial Processes and Environmental Change is divided into five sections, commencing with the slope-catchment scale and proceeding to studies of channel response, then floodplain processes and floodplain response and finally two studies from glacierised basins. The volume originated as a two-day session of the British Geomorphological Research Group and contributors from Europe, the USA and Australia were included in order to provide a wide perspective on the topic. This book will be a valuable reference for postgraduates and researchers in fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, Quaternary science, geology and environmental science. ... Read more

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Preparing users for further study in numerical modeling, this practical, succinct review of the mathematical foundations of groundwater flow connects various mathematical flow equations to actual physical situations, helping readers understand mathematical formulas by demonstrating how the relations are derived and showing the legitimacy and/or relevance of a particular relation.Organized into three parts, the guide begins with a study of the fundamental relation of groundwater flow, with discussions that include the hydrologic nature of the subsurface, plus Darcy's Law and three dimensional flow; next, it looks at steady-state flow, deriving mathematical formulas for the refraction of flux, as well as steady-state flow in unconfined aquifers; then it concludes with a review of transient flow, delving into periodic and aperiodic solutions in a confined layer to the diffusion equation for hydraulic head, and transient well discharge from a confined aquifer.For hydrologists, hydrogeologists, environmental engineers, environmental scientists, and civil engineers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Rigoristic Mathematical Background to Groundwater Flow
This book will provide the rigoristicmathematical background togroundwater flow in a very readable! ... Read more

Product Description
This book presents approaches to landscape modelling not only from geography but also from various related disciplines, especially from applied mathematics, computer science, and geophysics. New methods of terrain representation, analysis and classification are presented as well as short- and long-term process models. The intention of the book is not to give a complete overview of these broad and complex topics, but to stimulate interdisciplinary cooperation and to encourage scientists to consider the ideas of related disciplines. ... Read more

Product Description
Rockglaciers are the visible expression of the creep of mountain permafrost. They are indicative of special geo-ecologic and geomorphic conditions regarding thermal situation, talus production, hydrology, and hazards in high mountain environments of all major mountain systems on earth. As relict features, they are of great paleoclimatic value. This book presents a systematic treatment of this landform in its environmental context. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume of new work by leading fluvial geomorphologists, geologists and hydrologists has four related themes: the spatial and temporal environmental controls of river morphology; the sedimentological control of channel form and process; development pressures and river management problems in relating sediment transport and river morphology; the nature of applied fluvial geomorphology in contexts ranging from the conservation of aquatic ecology to the engineering control of river processes. The contributors are: James C.Bathurst, B.J.Bluck, Andrew C.Brayshaw, D.Brunsden, P.A.Carling, T.R.H.Davies, William E.Dietrich, Rob Ferguson, Daniel I.Gregory, Alan D.Howard, D.K.C.Jones, A.D.Knighton, M.McCaig, M.P.Mosley, Pamela S.Naden, Keith Richards, Stanley A.Schumm, Robin F.Warner. ... Read more

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This is the first comprehensive volume on cave sediments. It provides case-studies from around the world, gives guidance on appropriate applications of techniques, and their limitations, synthesizes methods that can be used to decipher complex deposits, and includes chemical deposits (speleothems) as well as clastic sediments. This book is for any geoscience researcher or student with interests in climate change, paleohydrology, karst geology, and sedimentology.

Product Description
This book includes both basic material for students without a great deal of background in geology as well as more advanced topics.With coverage that reaches beyond the study of surface processes, it contains discussions on the evolution of landforms and interpretation of their origin. The Second Edition reflects the increasing relevance of geomorphology to environmental concerns and the additional emphasis this has placed on more applied aspects of the field. Also considered is the revolution of the discipline brought on by many rapidly-evolving tools, such as computers, sophisticated electronic measuring devices, lasers, mass spectrometers, new methods of dating landforms and deposits, and others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Surface Processes and Landforms
Fast delivery.I saved about $80 by buying this book online.Will buy from Amazon again.

Not what I had hoped for.
Didn't realize I'd bought from a broker...took several days for the order to be filled and mailed...book was in acceptable condition...even though it arrived within the amazon timeframe of a few weeks, i had hoped to get the book earlier so i could start using it for my class.

A disappointment for the price, but probably the best available in print.
I used this textbook for an introductory-level class in geomorphology for undergrads and graduate students. The course assumed no background in geomorphology, but required a beginning course in geology or physical geography. While this text was adequate for the class' needs (and is superior to or on par with others currently in print), I have a number of frustrations with the book.

First: for the price, this textbook is poorly made. The binding is weak, and the pages are of a thin, low-quality paper that allows highlighter ink to bleed through (so be prepared to do a lot of underlining instead). There are no color photographs, except for a couple of photo inserts in the center to supplement the otherwise black and white diagrams. The images themselves are also often too far from their references, so there is a lot of flipping back and forth in the text while you read about a topic that doesn't correspond with the actual images on the pages (which typically belong to a concept described several pages earlier).

The writing itself is fairly accessible, but at times becomes overly complicated becaues of poorly-defined terms, circumlocutive explanations, and redundancies. Terms are often defined well after they've been used in the text, and the definitions often include or are anchored by the term itself. This unecessarily complicates the sentence structure in many cases, as in this example from page 305:

"Ice sheets and ice caps are large enough not to be confined by topography, and their configuration reflects the size and shape of the glacier, rather than the underlying topography."

As a consequence, the flow of many chapters is choppy, and it is occasionally difficult to find all the information you need quickly when looking up terms or studying for an exam.

With these weaknesses in mind, the text itself does do a fairly good job of addressing a wide range of subjects pertaining to geomorphology, including both the patterns and processes of landforms creation. It is fairly up-to-date, and the figures are clear and well-explained (though once again the use of color would greatly enhance the usefulness of this text). It covers a wide range of landforms, including fluvial and eolian processes, shorelines, several chapters devoted to glaciers and glaciation, and tectonic landforms.

With a shortage of alternative texts, Surface Processes and Landforms is an acceptable introduction to geomorphology. Sections that are less up-to-date (since the last edition in 1999) can be supplemented effectively with outside readings. A revised third edition could easily clear up most of the problems in the second, with the inclusion of better images and a tighter editing job. For the price, it fails to deliver in some key areas, however, and non-majors especially will want to consider this before making an investment; find a used copy if you can, or share with a friend.

~Jacquelyn Gill

Good Textbook
I used this textbook for a geography class called "Landforms".It was a great guide and a fairly easy read.My only problem with it is it is all in black and white except for a couple of color photo inserts.

Learning about how the earth is formed
I had this book as a text book and loved it. It is easy to read and very interesting. Anyone who wants to understand how mountains, rivers, and glaciers are formed; as well as how to identify such from past history is certain to be pleased with the wealth of information provided. ... Read more

Product Description
Brings together research on the process and applications of geomorphology representative of work done around the world, and covers progress made in all aspects of the subject. Emphasizes geomorphology's role in environmental management, especially in developing countries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Terrific
An outstanding treatment of topographic maps and the landforms they represent. A must have for all Earth Science teachers and Science Olympiad teams

Outstanding
An excellent treatment of topographic maps and the features they illustrate for a wide variety of landforms and regions. ... Read more

Product Description
Surface analysis deals with characterizing and understanding the behavior of molecules which react on the surface between two substances. The latest self-contained volume in this long established and respected series of review articles on applications and instrumental developments in spectroscopy presents a high quality treatment of the frontiers of research occurring in modern spectroscopic methods. The internationally renowned authors have taken care to make their work accessible to experts and non-experts alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Useful techniques
The book covers the gamut of spectroscopic techniques available to analyse an interface (surface) between two substances. The techniques are non-destructive. Often, the aim is to study the surface composition. This is especially true in the important case where one substance is a fluid, typically air, and the other substance is a solid. Do oxide layers form in such a situation, for example? Do molecules from the air clump onto the surface?

Most of the cases considered have a subject that is flat. This enables spectroscopy with specular reflections, as opposed to diffuse reflections from rough surfaces. Plus, when you get specular reflections, you might also get refracted transmission inside the target substance. And possible the excitation of surface plasmons on the surface, for example. Under such circumstances, we get nice instances of applied electromagnetic theory. ... Read more

Product Description
This text contains the proceedings of the 22nd Annual Geomorphology Symposium, the primary aim of which was to highlight the considerable quantity and diversity of periglacial research being undertaken in Arctic and alpine environments by Canadian and American geomorphologists. Global climatic and accompanying environmental change represents a contemporary focus of research in the natural sciences. The periglacial environment is one of the regions of the world where such changes will undoubtedly have their greatest impact. The papers contained in this volume explore a variety of contemporary geomorphic processes and begin to examine some of the potential impacts of global change on the nature and extent of permafrost and seasonal ice phenomena. The papers presented here demonstrate continued progress in the understanding of periglacial processes in both alpine and Arctic environments and it is hoped that they will serve as stimulus for further research in cold climate geomorphology in North America, promoting new perspectives on, and new techniques within, the discipline. ... Read more

Product Description
The central theme, which threads through the entire book,concerns computational modeling methods for water. Modeling resultsfor pure liquid water, water near ions, water at interfaces, water inbiological microsystems, and water under other types of perturbationssuch as laser fields are described. Connections are made throughoutthe book with statistical mechanical theoretical methods on the onehand and with experimental data on the other. The book is expected tobe useful not only for theorists and computer analysts interested inthe physical, chemical, biological and geophysical aspects of water,but also for experimentalists in these fields. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Competent authors, and good choice of landform photos
Few geomorphology books provide adequate color pics to complement the text due to costs. This title is an exception. If you were disappointed as I was with READING THE EARTH by J. Wyckoff, consider this release.
And get a copy at around $12 before they're back up to $90. ... Read more