Living Earth

As a fixture in recent headlines, the Earth's climate has commanded much attention. While environmental and atmospheric conditions in large part determine the climate of a region, the impact of human activity has increasingly become a significant factor as well. This is especially true concerning significant climate changes, commonly known as global warming. New technologies and an ever-expanding population have contributed to worldwide climate shifts in ways that are harmful to the planet. The factors affecting climate, the various climate classification systems, and international responses to global warming are all carefully considered in this volume.

Constituting more than 70 percent of Earth's surface, the world's oceans are so vast as to remain something of an enigma to this day. Navigating these imposing seas and unlocking their secrets is the calling of oceanographers. Their research helps determine what climatic, geologic, and chemical impact oceans have on a variety of organisms. In spite of their magnitude and might, the world's oceans are not immune to the effects of adverse human activity, such as pollution. This volume surveys this huge, but fragile, ecosystem and the individuals who help fight for the preservation of this vital resource that has critical significance to all earthly life.

Between their verdant canopies and shaded floors, forests contain a multi-tiered ecosystem that supports an abundance of flora and fauna. Together with the grasses and vegetation in the grasslands to which they are frequently adjacent, forests make up 70 percent of the Earth's land area and sustain the majority of its species. With careful detail and beautiful photographs, this volume journeys to the woodland and grassland areas of the planet and examines the distinctive features and wildlife of each as well as techniques in forestry and forest management that have helped these remarkable regions survive.

Characterized by uncompromising climate, sparse population density, and extreme aridity, deserts, steppes, and scrublands represent some of the least accessible regions on the planet. However, despite the severity of these ecosystems, they still boast mesmerizing terrains and are capable of supporting diverse animal groups and plant varieties as well as nomadic human inhabitants. This volume tours the alluring landscapes and ecosystems of the unique deserts and steppes of the world and introduces readers to the unique populations that call them home.

The Earth's capacity to sustain life increasingly depends on the actions of humans and our commitment to preserving the planet's incredible biodiversity. Because its ecosystems are vulnerable to pollution, overuse, and numerous other damaging activities, plants and animals that rely on these regions to subsist are significantly threatened. This insightful volume examines various conservation measures, such as habitat management, that help control the extinction rates of numerous species. Tireless, incredible individuals whose work has been crucial to protecting the planet for future generations are highlighted.

Winding their way through the planet's landscapes and supplying some of its most prosperous cities with fresh water, food, and transportation conduits, rivers and streams have critical ecological and economic significance. As they carve out waterfalls, valleys, canyons, deltas, and a host of other landforms, they also support a diversity of organisms and connect disparate regions. Accompanied by extraordinary color photographs, this volume examines the characteristics of these captivating channels as well as their greatest threats and profiles some of the world's prominent rivers.

Lakes and wetlands are significant ecosystems that nourish, sustain, and house many of the planet's plant and animal species. Though both of these regions are defined by water-both fresh and saline-each lake and particular type of wetland also has characteristics all its own. This detailed volume considers the formation, composition, and maintenance of these intricate ecological units and the various life forms they support. Dramatic full-color photographs and in-depth profiles of Earth's major lakes highlight the beauty and complexity of these regions.

Earth's biosphere supports several unique biomes and ecosystems. Though they operate as self-contained units, these regions also operate as part of a global network, nurturing interdependence among greatly diverse plant and animal species. The evolution of these wondrous realms-both aquatic and terrestrial-and the various natural elements that distinguish them from one another are the subjects of this comprehensive volume.