Table Of ContentFundamentals of the Physical
Environment
Third Edition
Fundamentals of the Physical Environment has established itself as a highly respected
core introductory textbook for students of physical geography and environmental
sciences. The third edition of this popular textbook has been extensively revised to
incorporate current thinking and knowledge in the field of physical geography and the
environment, whilst retaining its basic structure. A new example – Upper Wharfedale –
has been taken as the theme of Chapter 1 to illustrate new ideas and concepts that can be
used in the study of the environment. A systems approach is taken to demonstrate how
the various factors operating at Earth’s surface can and do interact, and how landscape
can be used to decipher them. The nature of Earth and its oceans, the main processes of
geomorphology and key elements of ecosystems (soils and vegetation) are all explained.
Since the second edition was published, uncertainties about the nature and extent of
global climate and environmental change have become clarified. Scientific evidence now
points more reliably to patterns and rates of change exceeding earlier forecasts. There is
now a more urgent need to understand the nature of global physical environments and
their interaction with human societies. The chapter on climate change has been largely
rewritten to reflect these rapidly changing ideas and the information available. The
potential impacts on all other aspects of the natural environment are considered in other
chapters, including the final part involving chapters on particularly sensitive
environments such as polar regions, mountains and dry lands.
The structure of the book follows that of previous editions but chapters are arranged
within new parts entitled Fundamentals, Atmosphere, Geosphere, Biosphere and
Environments. New illustrations and diagrams have been added in most chapters. Colour
has been included in the diagrams to enhance the information displayed. This is
particularly useful in maps, where tonal variations give a clearer idea of the patterns
indicated. Boxes are used extensively to indicate areas of special interest and illustrate
key processes, new concepts, developments, applications, or human impacts. Specific
features include:
• A clearly structured and accessibly written text
• Superb illustrations: 437 figures, 153 black-and-white photos, 24 colour plates
• Glossary of terms and key words highlighted throughout the text
• Global case studies with key linked research references
• Annotated and updated further reading lists
• Chapter summaries and key points boxes
• Relevant web resources
• Online diagrams importable into PowerPoint for overheads
Peter Smithson is Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of Sheffield. Ken
Addison is Senior Lecturer at the School of Applied Sciences, University of
Wolverhampton, and Fellow and Tutor in Physical Geography at St Peter’s College,
University of Oxford. Ken Atkinson is Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of
Leeds.
What readers said about the second edition
of Fundamentals of the Physical
Environment
The best text for my first-year physical geography courses for over ten years…The
authors are to be complimented on their clear and easy style.
Chris Young, Canterbury, Christchurch University College
Like all the best texts, it covers the topics in just a bit more detail than the courses
strictly require – ideal for the enthusiastic student.
Allan Cheshire, University of Hertfordshire
An excellent introductory text…well illustrated with very clear figures which support
the text very well. It provides a good cross-section of physical geography and should
remain very popular with students.
David Evans, University of Glasgow
Comprehensive and well written…The illustrations are excellent, clear and easily
understood. It succeeds in linking the physical processes to the human experience.
Marilyn Raphael, University of California, Los Angeles
An extensively revised edition of a popular undergraduate text in physical geography.
An interesting narrative style develops environmental themes by working from a simple
description of a local landscale to the scale of the entire planet. Text boxes provide more
detailed description of key points and the work is well illustrated…Fundamentals…
provides foundation studies in most sub-disciplines of physical geography and would be
appropriate for first-year units in environmental studies.
Peter Mitchell, Macquarie University
We value the text because it is up to date and includes the three major branches of
physical geography, treated rather more evenly than is usual.
Simon Jones, University of Glasgow
Essential reading to support first-year geography practical sessions. Also
recommended for basic information to support second-year modules as well. It provides
enough information for a basic introductory course on the physical environment. It has a
logical structure overall and is well illustrated with clear diagrams and very appropriate
photographs, as well as good global case study examples. I liked the key-point
summaries.
Susan Marriott, University of the West of England
A lucid, user-friendly style, which helps the understanding of complex concepts and
processes…Good value because it covers most of the first-year material in a Physical
Geography course, has a wide-ranging coverage of the concepts and processes
involved… has good, clear and comprehensive figures (well explained) and a nice
collection of plates.
Russell D. Thompson, University of Reading
A well written and well illustrated book. The figures are a plus point because they
convey very useful information in a straightforward manner…Fine for first-year
undergraduates and our second-year students refer to it as well.
Nigel Richardson, Edge Hill College, Ormskirk
Extensively rewritten and expanded.
American Meteorological Society
Fundamentals of the Physical
Environment
Third Edition
Peter Smithson, Ken Addison and
Ken Atkinson
London and New York
To Gwen, for her long-standing encouragement and support
To Lena, for her early inspiration and Lyn, for her continuing support
To Jake and Charlotte
Website
Links to relevant websites and downloadable diagrams can be found on the website specially
designed to accompany this book at:
http://www.routledge.com/textbooks/fundamentals
First edition published by Hutchinson Education 1985
Fifth impression 1989 published by the Academic Division of Unwin Hyman
Second edition published 1997 by Routledge
Third edition published 2002 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York,
NY 10001
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005.
To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of
thousands of eBooks please go to http://www.ebookstore.tandf.co.uk/.
© 2002 Peter Smithson, Ken Addison and Ken Atkinson
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or
by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission
in writing from the publishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from
the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been
requested
ISBN 0-203-99519-8 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 0-415-23293-7 (hbk) ISBN 0-415-23294-5 (pbk)
Contents
Website resources xi
Preface to the third edition xv
Acknowledgements xvi
Part one FUNDAMENTALS
1
1 THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: INTRODUCTORY IDEAS AND 3
CONCEPTS
2 ENERGY AND EARTH 23
Part two ATMOSPHERE
53
3 HEAT AND ENERGY IN THE ATMOSPHERE 55
4 MOISTURE IN THE ATMOSPHERE 80
5 PRECIPITATION AND EVAPO-TRANSPIRATION 105
6 THE ATMOSPHERE IN MOTION 146
7 WEATHER-FORMING SYSTEMS 176
8 MICRO AND LOCAL CLIMATES 205
9 CLIMATE CHANGE 235
Part three GEOSPHERE
267
10 EARTH’S GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND PROCESSES 269
11 THE GLOBAL OCEAN 306
12 ROCK FORMATION AND DEFORMATION 332
13 DENUDATION, WEATHERING AND MASS WASTING 372
14 FLOWING WATER AT THE LAND SURFACE 415
15 ICE AT THE LAND SURFACE 464
16 THE WORK OF THE WIND 511
17 THE WORK OF THE SEA 529
565
Part four BIOSPHERE
18 SOIL PROPERTIES 567
19 SOIL FORMATION 596
20 VEGETATION SYSTEMS 626
21 VEGETATION DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESSION 638
22 ENERGY FLOWS AND NUTRIENT CYCLES IN ECOSYSTEMS 660
23 DIVERSITY AND STABILITY IN ECOSYSTEMS 689
715
Part five ENVIRONMENTS
24 POLAR ENVIRONMENTS 717
25 MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENTS 744
26 MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENTS 782
27 DRYLAND ENVIRONMENTS 813
28 HUMID TROPICAL ENVIRONMENTS 842
