Once the grain basket for South Africa, much of Lesotho has become a scarred and treeless wasteland. The nation's spectacular gullying has concerned environmentalists and conservationists for more than half a century, In Imperial Gullies: Soil Erosion and Conservation in Lesotho, Kate B. Showers documents the truth behind this devastation. Showers reconstructs the history of the landscape, beginning with a history of the soil. She concludes that Lesotho's distinctive erosion chasms, called dongas, often cited as an example of destructive land-use practices by African farmers, actually were caused by colonial and postcolonial practices. The residents of Lesotho emerge as victims of a failed technology. Their efforts to mitigate or resist implementation of destructive soil conservation engineering works were thwarted, and they were blamed for the consequences of policies promoted by international soil conservationists since the 1930s. Imperial Gullies calls for an observational, experimental and, most importantly, a fully consultative and participatory approach to address Lesotho's serious contemporary problems of soil erosion. The first book to bring to center stage the historical practice of colonial soil science and a cautionary tale of western science in unfamiliar terrain it will interest a broad, interdisciplinary audience in African and environmental studies, social sciences, and history. "Showers shows how local people understood that colonial contour conservation methods and road building actually stimulated gully erosion, something colonial scientists failed to realize. Overall it is undoubtedly one of the most important books written to date on any part of the environmentalhistory of Africa. Moreover it stands out in the discipline of environmental history in general as an unusually sophisticated work of great insight and explanatory power."---Richard H. Grove, author of Green Imperialism: Colonial Expansion, Tropical Island Edens and the Origins of Environmentalism, 1600-1860 Kate B. Showers is a visiting research fellow and senior research associate at the Centre for World Environmental History, University of Sussex, England. She has lived in rural Lesotho and has served as head of research, Institute of Southern African Studies, National University of Lesotho.

Once the grain basket for South Africa, much of Lesotho has become a scarred and treeless wasteland. The nation's spectacular gullying has concerned environmentalists and conservationists for more than half a century, In Imperial Gullies: Soil Erosion and Conservation in Lesotho, Kate B. Showers documents the truth behind this devastation. Showers reconstructs the history of the landscape, beginning with a history of the soil. She concludes that Lesotho's distinctive erosion chasms, called dongas, often cited as an example of destructive land-use practices by African farmers, actually were caused by colonial and postcolonial practices. The residents of Lesotho emerge as victims of a failed technology. Their efforts to mitigate or resist implementation of destructive soil conservation engineering works were thwarted, and they were blamed for the consequences of policies promoted by international soil conservationists since the 1930s. Imperial Gullies calls for an observational, experimental and, most importantly, a fully consultative and participatory approach to address Lesotho's serious contemporary problems of soil erosion. The first book to bring to center stage the historical practice of colonial soil science and a cautionary tale of western science in unfamiliar terrain it will interest a broad, interdisciplinary audience in African and environmental studies, social sciences, and history. "Showers shows how local people understood that colonial contour conservation methods and road building actually stimulated gully erosion, something colonial scientists failed to realize. Overall it is undoubtedly one of the most important books written to date on any part of the environmentalhistory of Africa. Moreover it stands out in the discipline of environmental history in general as an unusually sophisticated work of great insight and explanatory power."---Richard H. Grove, author of Green Imperialism: Colonial Expansion, Tropical Island Edens and the Origins of Environmentalism, 1600-1860 Kate B. Showers is a visiting research fellow and senior research associate at the Centre for World Environmental History, University of Sussex, England. She has lived in rural Lesotho and has served as head of research, Institute of Southern African Studies, National University of Lesotho.

This text describes several geological processes, such as the lithospheric deformation and evolution of groundwater resources, which are directly or indirectly influenced by the movements of subsurface fluids from crustal level to the Earth's core.

"I've seen the Sudan, traveled in South and Central America and been all over Europe, but I've never seen what I've been able to see on this tour [of the Loess Plateau, China]."
-Ed Skidmore, soil scientist, Wind
Erosion Research Unit of the Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Manhattan, Kansas

Overpopulation is at the core of most environmental problems. The impacts of continued growth-with world population reaching 6 billion in October 1999-are felt in most parts of the world. China, the most populous nation, illustrates many of the pivotal problems-and solutions.
Although China faces the same effects of overpopulation as the rest of the world, it still feeds over a billion people on a tillable area that allows about one tenth of a hectare per person. The country's efforts to tie together soil and water conservation, dryland farming, and economic development have been largely successful. Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming explores these trials and the lessons learned from them.
Copublished with the Soil and Water Conservation Society, this exhaustive text consists of the rewritten proceedings from the Society's conference held in Yangling, Shaanxi, China. It covers dryland farming systems and soil water management, environmental quality and sustainability, and erosion control techniques as they relate primarily to Mainland China. With additional global examples and a balance between conceptual and applied studies, it covers some of the most progressive work in soil erosion control and dryland farming from around the world.
Soil exposure while land lies fallow is one of the greatest risks in dryland farming. New procedures and kinds of tillage help control erosion and improve water intake. Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming presents these techniques and technologies to give you a forward-looking perspective into the field, as well as the larger problem of tailoring food production to sustain the population.

This collection of papers is based largely on contributions by participants in a series of special sessions at the June 1995 South East Asia Conference of the International Association of Geomorphologists. The concept that draws these papers together is best explained in the following excerpt from the call for papers that was issued in advance of the conference: The purpose of this special session is to provide an opportunity for discussion of the diversity of fluvial forms that may arise in unusual settings These may include settings where external forcing factors exert a powerful influence precluding or modifying the type of equilibrium form that is expected to develop under quasi-stable conditions in an alluvial channel: for example, patterns of response to tectonic activity longitudinal variations in channel and floodplain form associated with spatially varying patterns of bedrock lithology or jointing arid region rivers with longitudinal discharge trends that are not mono-tonically increasing. Also of potential interest are morphological features forming under climatic/hydrologic regimes associated with monsoon, tropical wet, extremely arid or extremely cold environments; or patterns of vegetation distribution that exert a controlling influence on channel form. It is hoped that the papers contributed to this session will encompass a broad range of geographic as well as morphological diversity. The underlying premise was that the world s rivers encompass a wide range of influences and associated fluvial forms, but that the geomorphic literature traditionally has focused most intensively on a subset of those forms (mostly comprised of alluvial rivers from humid temperate, semiarid or proglacial environments), and may not treat a spectrum of morphological types that is proportionately representative of the rivers that actually exist on the earth s surface. Thus the intention of this volume is, first and foremost, to present an international set of case studies with a strong descriptive component, representing the diversity of fluvial forms. To quote Baker and Komatsu in the opening paper of this volume "excitement and pleasure in science derive not so much from achieving the final explanation as from discovering the fascinating range of new phenomena to be explained." It is our hope that readers of this volume will share some of that excitement and pleasure.

Coherent Flow Structures in Open Channels presents the first integrated treatment, across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, of the origins and characteristics of coherent fluid motions and their influence on sediment transport and bed morphology. This book contains contributions from an international and interdisciplinary authorship who are responsible for many of the recent advances in geophysical boundary layer research. Coherent flow structures are examined systematically across a range of scales from flat-bed boundary layers, grain and bedform roughness generated structures through to the largest scales, where structures may be associated with bars, meander bends and channel confluences. The book is broadly organized according to the spatial scales of coherent flow structures and presents a treatise on the study of these motions from theoretical, experimental and field-based approaches. These papers describe the origins, evolution and characteristics of coherent flow structures and the control which they may impart on sediment transport, both as a bed and suspended load, and ultimately on channel morphology. The book also highlights future research themes required to advance the interdisciplinary understanding of these complex, yet ubiquitous, natural flows. The research presented here will find applications within many fields, including geomorphology, sedimentology, the physical and numerical modelling of two-phase flows, environmental fluid and sediment dynamics and river engineering.

Water-rock interactions play an important role in nearly all physical and chemical processes operating on the Earth's surface and subsurface. This work contains the proceedings of the Eighth International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction (WRI-8), held in Russia in 1995.

Contents: Hydrothermal systems: modern and old, marine and continental; Ore deposits in modern and old geothermal systems; High-pressure and low-temperature metamorphism and low-pressure and high temperature metamorphism (paired Myashiro belts); Geochemical cycles as responses to global climate changes and anthropogenetic processes; Geochemical modelling of water-rock interaction processes; Organic processes in the water rock interaction system; Influence of mining industry on composition of ground and surficial waters;

The Wadden Sea area of the North Sea is one which undergoes rapid morphological changes. Under natural conditions, the barrier islands would adjust themselves to a rising sea level. However, because the islands are densely populated and have an important role as holiday resorts, morphological changes are undesirable. Coastal engineering counter-measures have been undertaken to prevent beach erosion, shifting of tidal inlets, breaching of dune ridges and landward-directed washover. The natural processes and the results of human interference including the negative consequences of many of the measures are discussed in detail. The author presents the current state of research, together with the results of his own investigations. In addition, a comprehensive description of the geomorphological development and recent problems of the barrier islands from Texel to Fano is given for the first time. The book includes 40 colour photographs and 393 figures, almost all previously unpublished. Satellite and radar imagery as well as many aerial photographs are also included. The book is intended for geomorphologists, sedimentologists, environmentalists and all those with a scientific interest in tidal flats and barrier islands.

The Proceedings of the International Symposium on Shallow Tethys 2, held in Wagga Wagga, on the 15-17 September 1986.

Land Drainage the topic of the papers presented for seminar in the EC programme of coordination of research on land use and rural resources, held in Cambridge, UK, on the 27-31 July 1981.

Geomorphology is the study of the Earth's diverse physical land-surface features and the dynamic processes that shape these features. Examining natural and anthropogenic processes, The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology is a comprehensive exposition of the fundamentals of geomorphology that examines form, process, and applications of the discipline. Organized into five substantive sections, the Handbook is an overview of: * Foundations and Relevance: including the nature and scope of geomorphology; the origins and development of geomorphology; the role and character of theory in geomorphology; geomorphology and environmental management; and geomorphology and society * Techniques and Approaches: including observations and experiments; geomorphological mapping; the significance of models; process and form; dating surfaces and sediment; remote sensing in geomorphology; GIS in geomorphology; biogeomorphology; human activity * Process and Environment: including the evolution of regolith; weathering; fluids, flows and fluxes; sediment transport and deposition; hill slopes; riverine environments; glacial geomorphology; periglacial environments; coastal environments; aeolian environments; tropical environments; karst and karst processes * Environmental Change: including landscape evolution and tectonics; interpreting quaternary environments; environmental change; disturbance and responses to geomorphic systems * Conclusion: including challenges and perspectives; and a concluding review The Handbook has contributions from 48 international authors and was initially organized by the International Association of Geomorphologists. This will be a much-used and much-cited reference for researchers in Geomorphology, Physical Geography and the Environmental Sciences.

This book presents the most relevant basaltic plateau exposures in the provinces of Neuquen (northern Patagonia) and Santa Cruz (southern Patagonia), and analyzes their geomorphological and morphometric characteristics. The existence of wetland ecosystems near the volcanic plateaus is quantified, thus providing indexes that describe the quantitative relationships between these landscape features. These indexes also make it possible to estimate the development of these wetlands in non-surveyed areas, opening the door for studying remote, isolated areas by means of remote sensing images. In turn, the book proposes a numerical classification system for this type of landscape that summarizes the main geomorphological and hydrological characteristics.teristics.

The analysis of polar ice cores has proven to be very instructive about past environmental conditions on the time scale of several climatic cycles, and recent drilling operations have provided information of great value for global change issues.
The book presents the most recent data extracted from Greenland ice cores and surface experiments and compares them with former Antarctic results. It contains background articles, original contributions and group reports of interest to scientists, climatologists, atmospheric chemists, and glaciologists involved in global change research.

Provides the first comprehensive introduction to the study of impact craters and structures. It will, thus, place emphasis of the variety of different characteristics associated to impact cratering as observed in the field and in the laboratory.

Explanation of how to recognize impact structures is followed by a description of impact-diagnostic mineralogical and geochemical characteristics allowing confirmation of an impact structure.

Also addresses the environmental and biological effects of impact events as well as possible associations with geological boundaries and provide extensive references and illustrations.

The Quaternary Ice Age presents an overview of the present knowledge on environmental change as seen in the history of the quaternary ice age of the Alps. Its main theme is a description of the stratigraphic record produced by fundamental changes in the environment through multiple cycles of glacier advance and retreat.

World Geomorphology deals with the large scale relief features of the earth and shows how these are related to the major segments of the earth's crust known as lithospheric plates. The aim of the book is to convey an understanding of the earth's major relief features and to present a subdivision of the earth's surface in provinces which have had similar geological or geomorphological history. The book starts by presenting the reader with the basic geological column and the means of subdividing the landscape into areas with a common origin and developmental history, and gives an explanation of the basic principles of plate tectonics. The continental and oceanic areas of each lithospheric plate are then described: successive chapters deal with the African Plate, American plate, Antarctic plate, Asian plate, the European plate and the Pacific plate, indicating the regional geomorphological features after a brief geological introduction. This encyclopedic volume will provide a valuable reference for students of geology and geography.

This unique richly-illustrated account of the landforms and geology of the world s coasts, presented in a country-by-country (state-by-state) sequence, assembles a vast amount of data and images of an endangered and increasingly populated and developed landform. An international panel of 138 coastal experts provides information on what is where on each sector of coast, together with explanations of the landforms, their evolution and the changes taking place on them. As well as providing details on the coastal features of each country (state or county) the compendium can be used to determine the extent of particular features along the world s coasts and to investigate comparisons and contrasts between various world regions. With more than 1440 color illustrations and photos, it is particularly useful as a source of information prior to researching or just visiting a sector of coast. References are provided to the current literature on coastal evolution and coastline changes.

Rivers provide the primary link between land and sea. Utilizing the world's largest database, this book presents a detailed analysis and synthesis of the processes affecting fluvial discharge of water, sediment and dissolved solids. The ways in which climatic variation, episodic events, and anthropogenic activities - past, present and future - affect the quantity and quality of river discharge are discussed in the final two chapters. The book contains 26 tables and more than 165 figures - many in full color - including global and regional maps. The book's extensive appendix presents the 1534-river database as a series of 44 tables and 132 maps that provide quantitative data regarding the discharge of water, sediment and dissolved solids. The complete database is also presented within a GIS-based package available online at www.cambridge.org/milliman. River Discharge to the Coastal Ocean provides an invaluable resource for researchers, professionals and graduate students in hydrology, oceanography, geology, geomorphology and environmental policy.

The earth s cryosphere, which includes snow, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, ice shelves, sea ice, river and lake ice, and permafrost, contains about 75% of the earth s fresh water. It exists at almost all latitudes, from the tropics to the poles, and plays a vital role in controlling the global climate system. It also provides direct visible evidence of the effect of climate change, and, therefore, requires proper understanding of its complex dynamics.

This encyclopedia mainly focuses on the various aspects of snow, ice and glaciers, but also covers other cryospheric branches, and providesup-to-date information and basic concepts on relevant topics. It includes alphabetically arranged and professionally written, comprehensive and authoritative academic articles by well-known international experts in individual fields. The encyclopedia contains a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from the atmospheric processes responsible for snow formation; transformation of snow to ice and changes in their properties; classification of ice and glaciers and their worldwide distribution; glaciation and ice ages; glacier dynamics; glacier surface and subsurface characteristics; geomorphic processes and landscape formation; hydrology and sedimentary systems; permafrost degradation; hazards caused by cryospheric changes; and trends of glacier retreat on the global scale along with the impact of climate change.

This book can serve as a source of reference at the undergraduate and graduate level and help to better understand snow, ice and glaciers. It will also be an indispensable tool containing specialized literature for geologists, geographers, climatologists, hydrologists, and water resources engineers; as well as for those who are engaged in the practice of agricultural and civil engineering, earth sciences, environmental sciences and engineering, ecosystem management, and other relevant subjects.