An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment

Abstract

Physical geography is of wide interest and immense importance. It deals with the processes associated with climate, landforms, oceans and ecosystems of the world. The Earth has always been subject to changes in these systems and studying physical geography allows us to understand how Earth systems have come to operate as they do today. It also provides us with insights into how they may operate in the future. The impacts that humans have made on the Earth’s environments are ever increasing as the world’s population approaches eight billion. Thus the Earth’s systems will change in the future both naturally and in a forced way through human action. However, it will be crucial to understand, manage and cope with such change and this can be achieved only by understanding the processes of physical geography. This text is aimed at those embarking on a university course and provides an introduction to the major subjects of physical geography The book provides a baseline of understanding and additionally it directs the reader to resources that encourage them to develop their studies further and has materials that should be of value throughout a university degree