Elemental Geosystems (7e)

Among the most highly regarded in physical geography, Robert Christopherson’s bestselling Elemental Geosystems is known for currency, accuracy, rich integration of climate change science, and a dynamic multimedia program. Elemental Geosystems, Seventh Edition is organized around the natural flow of energy, materials, and information, presenting subjects in the same sequence in which they occur in nature – an organic, holistic approach that is unique in this discipline. Each chapter also includes strong pedagogical tools and a structured learning path that consists of Key Learning Concepts presented at the start of the chapter, Key Learning Concepts Review at the end of the chapter, and Critical Thinking questions integrated throughout.

Offering current examples and modern science within a one-of-a-kind Earth systems organization, Christopherson combines student-friendly writing, the most current applications, outstanding art, and a strong multimedia program for a truly unique physical geography experience. 

1. Essentials of Geography

PART I: The Energy-Atmosphere System
2. Solar Energy, Seasons, and the Atmosphere
3. Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures
4. Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

PART II: Water, Weather, and Climate Systems
5. Atmospheric Water and Weather
6. Water Resources
7. Climate Systems and Climate Change

PART III: The Earth—Atmosphere Interface
8. The Dynamic Planet
9. Tectonics, Earthquakes and Volcanoes
10. Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement
11. River Systems and Landforms
12. The Oceans, Coastal Systems, and Wind Processes
13. Glacial and Periglacial Landscapes

PART IV: Soils, Ecosystems, and Biomes
14. The Geography of Soils
15. Ecosystem Essentials
16. Terrestrial Biomes
17. Earth and the Human Denominator

Appendix A Maps in this Text and Topographic Maps
Appendix B The Köppen Climate Classification System
Appendix C Common Conversions

• NEW! Streamlined length (40 pages shorter than previous edition) – Both text and art are more concise, focusing on the essentials appropriate for this course.
• NEW! Updated and completely reorganized content on Wind Processes and Desert Landforms (formerly Chapter 12):
• The Work of Wind is now part of a new Chapter 12, retitled The Oceans, Coastal Systems, and Wind Processes.
• Desert Fluvial Processes is now part of Chapter 11, River Systems and Landforms.
• Desert Landscapes is now part of Chapter 9, Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes, in a new section Faulted Landscapes.
• Material on differential weathering is now part of Chapter 10, Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement.
• Loess Deposits and The Dust Bowl are now part of Chapter 14, The Geography of Soils.
• Desertification is the Geosystems Now topic for Chapter 14, The Geography of Soils.
• The Colorado River Focus Study is now part of Chapter 6, Water Resources.
• NEW! Expanded and updated material on Ecosystems and Biomes (formerly Chapter 15 ):
• Chapter 15, Ecosystem Essentials, includes revised and expanded material on ecosystem stability and threatened species, and a new Focus Study 15.1, Wildfire and Fire Ecology.
• Chapter 16, Terrestrial Biomes, includes revised and expanded material on invasive species, and a new Focus Study 16.1, Island Biogeography and Conservation–Preserving Biodiversity.
• NEW! Part Openers emphasizing the themes of systems, climate change, and human-Earth relations integrate key visuals and topics from associated chapters, giving students a broad overview of the concepts from that Part’s chapters.
• NEW! Geosystems Now: Chapter-Opening Case Studies draw readers into each chapter by discussing interesting, current, and relevant applications of chapter concepts while integrating discussions of systems, climate change, and human impacts.
• NEW! Critical Thinking active learning questions/activities integrated throughout each chapter give students the opportunity to stop and apply/check/practice their understanding of chapter concepts, and also provides students with ways to practice being responsible consumers and citizens of Earth.
• NEW! GeoReports: A variety of factoids, examples, applications, and student action items are interspersed at the bottom of the pages, often related to systems, climate change, and human impacts on the environment.
• NEW! Geosystems Connections sections at the end of each chapter help students bridge concepts between chapters, reminding them where they have been and where they are going.
• NEW! Hundreds of new photographs and dozens of new and updated illustrations appear in the Seventh Edition.
• NEW! The integration of thumbnail images of key chapter figures in the Key Learning Concept Review at the end of each chapter helps connect visuals to core concepts, reinforce student understanding, and accommodate various learning styles.
• The Seventh Edition has been reviewed in detail, with careful editing and revising of all pages and many figures to make the text and art concise, accessible, and engaging, while ensuring the reader focuses on the essential concepts.

• The unique Earth systems organization organizes the chapters around atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, following the natural flow of energy, materials, and information to present topics in the same sequence in which they occur in nature.

• Christopherson’s structured learning path and tightly integrated pedagogy give students a reliable, consistent framework for mastering the chapter concepts.

• Emphasis on climate change science and currency: Christopherson is recognized as a champion of environment and climate change issues, and Elemental Geosystems has the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of climate change science available.

• Christopherson's focus on relevance speaks directly to students, intriguing them with interesting case studies and factoids from history, science, and current news articles.

• An unparalleled visual program includes a variety of illustrations, photographs, and composites. Over 400 photographs were composed in the field during expeditions by the author and his wife specifically for use in the text, providing authoritative examples and applications of physical geography and Earth systems science.

• A strong level of rigor is maintained throughout while still remaining accessible and engaging to students.

• Over 200 embedded urls are integrated throughout the text, allowing students to link directly to source material.

Robert W. Christopherson is Professor Emeritus of Geography, having taught 30 years at American River College, and is the author of the leading physical geography texts in the US and Canada. 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, 4e, 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. Among 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, 22e.