For courses in physical geography.

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An essential introduction to physical geography, from atmosphere to biosphere

The gold standard in the discipline,  Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography  is a practical text explaining the essentials of physical geography. Organized into four sections by Earth systems topics as they naturally occur – atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere – the text guides students through the principles of physical geography with real-world applications. Christopherson’s approach is known for its meticulous attention to detail and up-to-date accuracy. Real-world case studies and activities engage students and help them apply geography to the real world.

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Robert W. Christopherson attended California State University-Chico for his undergraduate work and received his Masters in Geography from Miami University-Oxford, Ohio. Geosystems evolved out of his teaching notes and was his graduate thesis: this is his life’s work. He founded the geography program of American River College faculty. His wife Bobbé is his principal photographer and has provided more than 300 exclusive photos for each of his books. Together they have completed nine polar expeditions (most recently in spring 2010). They attended the 2004 Arctic Climate Impact Symposium in Reykjavik, Iceland to acquire photo and video coverage and research. Robert is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 1998 and 2005 Text and Academic Authors Association Textbook Award for Geosystems and Elemental Geosystems, 4th Edition, respectively. He was selected by American River College students as "Teacher of the Year" and received the American River College Patrons Award. Robert received the 1999 Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award from the National Council for Geographic Education and the Outstanding Educator Award from the California Geographical Society in 1997. The Text and Academic Authors Association presented him with its Presidents' Award in 2005. Amongst many other things, Robert has been deeply involved in the development of Pearson’s Geoscience Animation Library, and he led the editorial board of Rand McNally’s Goode’s World Atlas, 22nd Edition.

Ginger Birkeland received her MA and PhD from Arizona State University, with a focus in fluvial geomorphology. She taught intro courses at Montana State University and Indiana University, spent time as a research associate at Arizona State, and has spent many years as an outdoor education instructor and commercial river guide. Ginger has worked in the field as a fluvial geomorphologist for industry and funded government projects. Some of her field projects include: a multidisciplinary plan for recovery of two threatened fish species in the Truckee River Recovery Plan (California and Nevada) for the US Fish and Wildlife Service; geomorphic oversight, technical expertise, and technical editing for the Menomonee River Sediment Study (Wisconsin); geomorphic expertise, and co-authoring of several sections on fluvial geomorphology for reports on bank protection and salmon habitat enhancement for the Integrated Streambank Protection Guidelines and Channel Design Guidelines (Washington).

1. Essentials of Geography

I. The Energy-Atmosphere System

2. Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

3. Earth’s Atmosphere

4. Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures

5. Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

II. The Water, Weather, and Climate Systems

6. Water and Atmospheric Moisture

7. Weather

8. Water Resources

9. Earth’s Climatic Regions

10. Climate Change

III. The Earth-Atmosphere Interface

11. The Dynamic Planet

12. Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

13. Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

14. River Systems

15. Aeolian Processes and Arid Landscapes

16. Oceans and Coastal Systems

17. Glacial Landscapes and the Cryosphere

IV. Soils, Ecosystems, and Biomes

18. The Geography of Soils

19. Ecosystem Essentials

20. Terrestrial Biomes

Appendix A. Maps in this Text and Topographic Maps

Appendix B. The Koppen Climate Classification System

Appendix C. Common Conversions