Geosystems:An Introduction to Physical Geography: International EditionDescription |
| Among the most highly regarded in physical geography, Robert Christopherson's bestselling texts are known for meticulous attention to detail, currency, accuracy, rich integration of climate change science, and strong multimedia programs. Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography, Eighth Edition is organized around the natural flow of energy, materials, and information, presenting subjects in the same sequence in which they occur in nature-an organic, holistic approach that is unique in this discipline. Each chapter also includes strong pedagogical tools and a structured learning path, with Key Learning Concepts presented at the start of the chapter, Key Learning Concepts Review at the end of the chapter, and Critical Thinking questions integrated throughout. Offering current examples and modern science within a one-of-a-kind Earth systems organization, Christopherson combines student-friendly writing, current applications, outstanding art, and a strong multimedia program for an authoritative and truly unique physical geography experience. The Eighth Edition is available with MasteringGeography™ the Mastering platform is the most effective and widely used online tutorial, homework, and assessment system for the sciences. |
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Features |
• Christopherson's proven earth systems organization provides a consistent framework for learning and teaching. Geosystems is organized around the natural flow of energy, materials, and information to present topics in the same sequence in which they occur in nature.
• The student-centered presentation includes examples and applications of current events as the author tells the story of modern Earth systems science.
• An emphasis on currency provides students and instructors with the most significant and up-to-date information and applications as of fall 2010. All sections of the text are updated in each edition with the most current data and information available.
• Focus Study essays present additional, in-depth discussions of key physical geography topics, without interrupting the flow of the core chapter narrative.
• A leader in climate change science for over 20 years, Christopherson offers the most up-to-date treatment available in any text.
• A rich photo program taken exclusively in the field and during expeditions by the author and his wife provides students with authoritative examples and applications of physical geography.
• A strong set of pedagogical tools and a structured learning path give students a reliable, consistent framework for mastering the chapter concepts.
• A rich integrated multimedia experience in the accompanying MasteringGeography platform engages active learners with narrated geoscience animations, Encounter Geosystems Google Earth™ Explorations, satellite loops, author Notebooks, videos, “In the News” RSS feeds, Thinking Spatially activities, visual glossary, photo galleries, and more.
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New to this Edition |
• NEW! MasteringGeography. Used by over one million science students, the Mastering platform is the most effective and widely used online tutorial, homework, and assessment system for the sciences. MasteringGeography for Geosystems 8e offers:
• Assignable activities that include geoscience animations, Encounter Geosystems Google Earth Explorations, geography videos, Thinking Spatially and Data Analysis, and end-of-chapter questions.
• Test Bank questions
• Student study area with geoscience animations, satellite loops, Author “Notebooks”, Web links, physical geography case studies, professional profiles, videos, visual glossary, glossary flashcards, “In the News” RSS feeds, reference maps, and more.
MasteringGeography icons are integrated within the chapters of the text to highlight online self-study media (Animations, Satellite Loops, Author Notebooks), and each chapter ends with a section describing the online content available for that chapter. MasteringGeography can include an optional Pearson eText for Geosystems, Eighth Edition.
• NEW! Geosystems Now chapter-opening vignette case studies draw students into the material by discussing an interesting, current application of the chapter concepts.
• NEW! GeoReports are found in each chapter at the bottom of chapter pages. This feature presents new and legacy factoids, examples, applications, or student action items that relate to the material in the main text narrative.
• NEW! Geosystem Connections at the end of each chapter precede the Key Learning Concepts Review. By reminding students where they have been and where they are headed, this new feature helps reinforce the systems organization by bridging and connecting the different chapter concepts.
• Key Learning Concepts Review now includes key figures from the chapter to reinforce the related key learning concepts in the chapter, further accommodate visual learners, and to increase the visual appeal at the end of each chapter.
• New and revised Critical-Thinking Questions have been integrated into appropriate sections of each chapter, giving students the opportunity to stop and practice conceptual understanding and critical thinking as they read through the chapter.
• NEW! New part opener designs, comprising illustrations and photos, emphasize the chapter content connections to each system:
• Energy-Atmosphere System (Chapters 2-6)
• The Water, Weather, and Climate Systems (Chapters 7-10)
• The Earth-Atmosphere Interface (Chapters 11-17)
• Soils, Ecosystems, and Biomes (Chapters 18-21)• Text length has been shortened by approximately 10 percent to help students focus on the essential chapter details.
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Table of Contents |
1 Essentials of Geography
PART I
The Energy-Atmosphere System
2 Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons
3 Earth's Modern Atmosphere
4 Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances
5 Global Temperatures
6 Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations
PART II
The Water, Weather, and Climate Systems
7 Water and Atmospheric Moisture
8 Weather
9 Water Resources
10 Global Climate Systems
PART III
The Earth-Atmosphere Interface
11 The Dynamic Planet
12 Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism
13 Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement
14 River Systems and Landforms
15 Eolian Processes and Arid Landscapes
16 The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Landforms
17 Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms
PART IV
Soils, Ecosystems, and Biomes
18 The Geography of Soils
19 Ecosystem Essentials
20 Terrestrial Biomes
21 Earth and the Human Denominator
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Author |
Robert W. Christopherson is Professor Emeritus of Geography, having taught 30 years at American River College, and is the author of the leading physical geography texts in the US and Canada.
He attended Cal State University-Chico, and Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. His first textbook was published in 1992. His textbooks have received several national textbook awards. Also, he was recognized for excellence in teaching with the 1999 “Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award” from the National Council for Geographic Education and the “Outstanding Educator Award” from the California Geographical Society. He was selected by American River College students as "Teacher of the Year" and received the “ARC Patrons Award” for teaching. In 2009 he was elected to the Textbook and Authors Association prestigious Council of Fellows. He has spoken across the US and Canada to hundreds of colleges, groups, and at professional meetings. Robert was a key member of the Editorial Board for Goode's World Atlas, 22/E, published by Rand McNally.
Robert and his nature photographer wife, Bobbé Christopherson, completed eleven scientific expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic regions since 2003. They returned May 2 from Antarctica and an expedition northward across the Atlantic Ocean to Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa. On these trips they gather materials for Christopherson's physical geography textbooks.
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