Physical Geography (Third Edition)

Author: Wu Guanghe
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-02
Features: The main target audience of this book is students of various geography disciplines. In the teaching plan, Physical Geography serves as a foundational course, playing a leading role. It not only introduces the position and function of Physical Geography within the scientific system but also elaborates on its nature and characteristics, while appropriately introducing the basic theories and knowledge of branch disciplines such as geomorphology, climatology, hydrology, and plant geography. Additionally, it must help students move beyond the seemingly chaotic of knowledge, recognize the holism of the natural geographic environment, and understand that changes in one element may lead to corresponding changes in other elements or even the entire natural geographic environment. This book aims to establish the concept of coordinated development between humans and nature, as well as sustainable socio-economic development. Since its publication, the book has been widely popular. This edition maintains the basic framework of the first and second editions while making significant updates to the core content, reflected in the following aspects: shifting from an isolated introduction of astronomical knowledge to a discussion of Earth's astronomical or cosmic background to avoid disconnecting from subsequent content; strengthening the connections between chapters on departmental physical geography, appropriately compressing content on the crust and hydrosphere; vividly explaining the essence of the discipline to stimulate student interest; and updating content to reflect the latest developments in the field. The book consists of 8 chapters, including: Earth; the Crust; Atmosphere and Climate; Oceans and Terrestrial Water; Landforms; the Soil Circle; Biological Communities and Ecosystems; and Comprehensive Research in Physical Geography.