A comprehensive introduction to the physical environment from an Australian perspective. After explaining the disciplinary approaches of geography and environmental sciences, this book examines the physical environment in terms of the three critical focus areas of climatology, geomorphology and biogeography. Hydrological issues are considered alongside all three of these areas. It also seeks to explain the processes and major Australian, and global patterns within and between each of these components. While many of the geographical and environmental features of this continent occur worldwide, Australia, due to its age and its geographical placement, has also developed an environment all its own. Comparative examples from around the world are included to place Australia and its unique environmental characteristics within the global context. Fully illustrated and with case studies clearly linking the theoretical content to real life issues, this book gives Australian students an understanding of the science of the continent's physical environment which is critical for decision making now, and for the future. The text is supported by an online resource centre to complete the teaching and learning experience.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION; 1. Introduction: Australia in the Physical World; 2. The Earth in Space and Time; PART TWO: THE ATMOSPHERE: THE CLIMATE SYSTEM; 3. The Global Energy System; 4. Global and Regional Atmospheric Circulation; 5. Hydrologic Systems and Atmospheric Processes; 6. Ocean-Atmosphere System Interactions; 7. Climatic Environments: Definitions, Human Interactions and Variability; PART THREE: THE LITHOSPHERE: THE EARTH'S SURFACE IN SPACE AND TIME; 8. The Earth's Surface: landscape development; 9. The Earth's Surface: Sediments, Landscapes and Soil Development; 10. The Earth's Surface and Processes of Landform Development: Water in the Landscape; 11. The Earth's Surface and Processes of Landform Development: Wind, Water and Aridity: Aeolian Landforms; 12. The Earth's Surface and Processes of Landform Development: Coastal Landforms; PART FOUR: THE BIOSPHERE: PLANTS AND ANIMALS; 13. Historical Biogeography: The Natural and Human Forces that Shape the Development of Regional Floras and Faunas; 14. Ecological Biogreography: Relationships Between Species and the environment; 15. Communities and Ecosystems: Assemblies of Organisms Into Functional Units at the Community and Ecosystem Level; PART FIVE: LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE; 16. Current Trends in Selected Australian Environmental Systems; GLOSSARY; APPENDICES; INDEX