The tropics provide the key to understanding much biological and Earth science. This is particularly true for the study of landforms, which in higher latitudes suffer great seasonal contrasts in process intensity and type, and which often in the past underwent the dramatic changes of glaciation and periglaciation. Yet studies in the tropics have shown that the legacy of past climate changes is much more dramatic than was formerly believed. This book, first published in 1985, brings together the variety of evidence about such environmental changes, over a variety of timescales, and sets it against the current knowledge of the nature of geomorphic processes in the tropics.

A statement from the world's leading geomorphologists on the state of, and potential changes to, the environment.

Environmental Change explores the nature, causes, rates and directions of environmental change throughout earth history. Huggett introduces the interdependent parts of the natural environment - cosmic, ecological, geological - and the dynamic nature of the environmental system. Integrating a wealth of examples and illustrations from around the world, the book examines evidence and causes of change in life, climate (air and water), soils, sediments and landforms, and the impacts of human-environment interaction.

Founded in 1966, the internationally recognized and acclaimed Series ‘Palaeoecology of Africa’ publishes interdisciplinary scientific papers on landscape evolution and on former environments of the African continent. Beginning with topics such as changes in climate and vegetation cover, the papers expand horizons and interconnections to various types of environmental dynamics from the Cainozoic up to the present; moreover, the aspect of human influence since the Late Quaternary is related to many of the areas studied. Volume 31 presents four comprehensive papers on long- and short-term processes of landscape evolution (geological history, neotectonics and proxy Quaternary alluvia), as well as a recent regional perspective on environmental problems in Southern Cameroon. The book acts as a showcase for successful North-South cooperation and capacity building for empowering African Universities. It is problem oriented and applied, and illustrates how scientific and interdisciplinary cooperation can work. In the framework of the German Research Foundation’s (DFG, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) funded "Rain Forest Savanna Contact" project (2003-2009) two abbreviated English versions of PhD theses are here published, one by J. Eisenberg on neotectonics and the other by M. Sangen on river sediments in rain forest-savanna transitional zones. Complementary articles are an introduction on geological history, by B. Kankeu et al. and a paper on environmental risks by M. Tchindjang et al., together these complete the results of this joint German-Cameroonian research project. This book will be of interest to all concerned with ecosystems dynamics, tropical forests, savannas and related development problems of Third World countries, especially regional planners, ecologists, botanists, earth scientists and students of the Quaternary (e.g. LGM and Holocene ecosystem dynamics, Global Change). It will be valuable for advanced undergraduates and postgraduates as a reference for new research articles on the topic of long‐term geologic‐tectonic and Quaternary landscape evolution in an up‐to‐now not well explored marginal area of the Western Congo basin.

Although similar geomorphic processes take place in other regions, in the tropics these processes operate at different rates and with varying intensities. Tropical geomorphology therefore provides many new discoveries regarding geomorphic processes. This textbook describes both the humid and arid tropics. It provides thoroughly up-to-date concepts and relevant case studies, and emphasises the importance of geomorphology in the management and sustainable development of the tropical environment, including climate change scenarios. The text is supported by a large number of illustrations, including satellite images. Student exercises accompany each chapter. Tropical Geomorphology is an ideal textbook for any course on tropical geomorphology or the tropical environment, and is also invaluable as a reference text for researchers and environmental managers in the tropics.

During the past few decades climatic geomorphology has been substantially enlarged in knowledge, thanks to numerous detailed investigations, the application of a large number of techniques, and the acquisition of abundant absolute dates. The challenge of predicting the effects of the prophesied future global warming on morphogenetic processes and landforms has encouraged geomorphologists to study the Late Pleistocene and Holocene climatic changes from the geomorphological and geological record. The advances achieved in the field of climatic geomorphology during the past years are reflected by the publication of several specific monographs about the different morphoclimatic zones. The aim of this book is to provide an up-to-date general view of this branch of geomorphology. It includes a chapter on applied geomorphology for each morphoclimatic zone providing an approximation of the main environmental problems. Geoscientists, geomorphologists

A synthesis of the environmental and climatic history of every major desert and desert margin, for researchers and advanced students.

Arising initially from a conference, the papers published here have been integrated into book form to provide information on human activities and the tropical rainforest in the past and present, and on the possible future of the rainforest, in a unique way. Other books have considered some, but not all, of these themes; however, none has stressed the continuity of change over time and its possible outcome for the people of the forest as well as for the forest itself. Because of the approach taken, this book should appeal across traditional disciplinary boundaries. Indeed a prime aim has been to suggest that rainforest, because of its complexity and the complexity of people-rainforest relationships throughout time, deserves study from a broad perspective. This book poses more questions than answers about the rainforest and it is hoped that it will encourage readers to think about the rainforest in a wider way than hitherto. This book is aimed at geographers (physical and human), social anthropologists, archaeologists, pedologists, foresters and tropical botanists and will be of value to graduates of various disciplines setting out to research the rainforest.

The humid tropics contain some of the world's richest, most diverse, most important and most threatened environments. This book draws on recent work by geographers, biologists, ecologists, geologists and climatologists to present a complete and integrated appraisal of the natural environment of all the humid tropical regions of the world. The most complete textbook on this key subject. Fully illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams. Informative case studies and examples. Considers the physical environment as a whole and stresses the link between the elements.

The new fourth edition of Fundamentals of Geomorphology continues to provide a comprehensive introduction to the subject by discussing the latest developments in the field, as well as covering the basics of Earth surface forms and processes. The revised edition has an improved logically cohesive structure, added recent material on Quaternary environments and landscapes, landscape evolution and tectonics, as well as updated information in fast-changing areas such as the application of dating techniques, digital terrain modelling, historical contingency, preglacial landforms, neocatastrophism, and biogeomorphology. The book begins with a consideration of the nature of geomorphology, process and form, history, and geomorphic systems, and moves on to discuss: Endogenic processes: structural landforms associated with plate tectonics and those associated with volcanoes, impact craters, and folds, faults, and joints. Exogenic processes: landforms resulting from, or influenced by, the exogenic agencies of weathering, running water, flowing ice and meltwater, ground ice and frost, the wind, and the sea; landforms developed on limestone; and long-term geomorphology, a discussion of ancient landforms, including palaeosurfaces, stagnant landscape features, and evolutionary aspects of landscape change. Featuring over 400 illustrations, diagrams, and tables, Fundamentals of Geomorphology provides a stimulating and innovative perspective on the key topics and debates within the field of geomorphology. Written in an accessible and lively manner, and providing guides to further reading, chapter summaries, and an extensive glossary of key terms, this is an indispensable undergraduate level textbook for students of physical geography.