An Introduction to the Environmental Physics of Soil, Water and Watersheds

A 2004 textbook highlighting environmental concerns arising from use and misuse of soil and water resources.

Calvin W. Rose (Author)

9780521536790, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 1 April 2004

456 pages, 220 b/w illus. 17 tables 83 exercises
24.5 x 17.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.93 kg

'Dr Rose explains the theory in self-contained chapters with practical examples and he uses many attractive figures to illustrate and summarize the most important results. The reader does not need advanced calculus or physics to understand the book … It is also highly recommended for farmers and technical staff in environmental and resource management organizations who have the task to put the idea of sustainable land use into practice … an introductory text that is enjoyable to read. It provides the necessary physical basis to discuss how we can develop sustainable use of our land and water resources.' Markus Deurer, WISPAS

This introductory 2004 textbook describes the nature of the Earth's environment and its physical processes so as to highlight environmental concerns arising from human use and misuse of soil and water resources. The author provides a thorough introduction to the basic issues regarding the sustainable, productive use of land resources that is vital in maintaining healthy rivers and good groundwater qualities. He develops a quantitative approach to studying these growing environmental concerns in a way that does not require prior knowledge of the physical sciences or calculus. The straightforward writing style, lack of prerequisite knowledge and copious illustrations make this textbook suitable for introductory university courses, as well as being a useful primer for research and management staff in environmental and resources management organisations. Each chapter ends with a set of student exercises for which solutions are available from solutions@cambridge.org.

Preface
1. Environmental systems of rock, soil and earth energy exchanges
2. Soil and soil strength
3. The behaviour of liquids
4. Soil, water and watersheds
5. Evotranspiration and energy exchange at the earth surface
6. Infiltration at the field scale
7. Surface hydrology of watersheds
8. Water erosion and deposition
9. Watersheds and rivers
10. Water movement through the groundwater zone
11. Water movement through the unsaturated zone
12. Salinity and contaminant transport
Appendix table A
Index.

Subject Areas: Soil & rock mechanics [TNCC], Limnology [freshwater RBKF], Soil science, sedimentology [RBGB]