The Dictionary of Physical Geography

By David S.G. Thomas

Book Overview

This fully-revised comprehensive fourth edition covers the whole field of physical geography including climate and atmosphere, geomorphology, biogeography, hydrology, oceans, Quaternary, environmental change, soils, remote sensing and GIS. This new edition reflects developments in the discipline during the last decade, with the expert advisory group providing an international perspective on the discipline of physical geography. Over 2000 entries that are self-contained or cross-referenced include 200 that are new to this edition, over 400 that are rewritten and updated, and new supporting references and additional recommended reading in many others. Entries removed from the last edition are available in the online resource. This volume is the essential reference point for students of physical geography and related environmental disciplines, lecturers and interested individuals alike.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 111878233X
• ISBN13: 9781118782330
• Release Date: February 2016
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Length: 632 Pages
• Weight: 2.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.7" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Good overall coverage...

Compiled, written, edited, and overseen by some of the world's most prominent Geographers, this dictionary covers everything the educated layperson could want to know about Physical Geography. The entries are concise where they need to be (e.g., "alluvium") and expanded where necessary (e.g., "rock coatings"). If you were to expand the glossaries of BOTH a basic Physical Geography text AND a basic Geomorphology text, this is what you would have. Although not as heavy with references as its predecessor, the venerable "Dictionary of Human Geography," it nonetheless fills a good-sized gap in Geography reference literature. It is not a "dictionary of geography terms/places" nor is it a "dictionary of geologic terms." It simply takes the broad field of Phyiscal Geography and expands upon hundreds of often- and lesser-used terms, concepts, and ideas. It has proven very useful throughout my doctoral studies, and will no doubt serve me well into the future of academia. After being thoroughly acquainted with the "Dictionary of Human Geography," I was hoping for more citations after each entry. That is, in my eyes, its only downfall. It is also several years old now, and hopefully a new edition will be published soon.