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Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social issues
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The Arid Zones (Hardcover)
Loot Price: R1,259
Discovery Miles 12 590
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The Arid Zones (Hardcover)
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The hot and temperate deserts and their marginal steppe lands
comprise one-third of the land surface of the world and are an
increasingly critical area for the economic wellbeing of world
populations. The remarkable mechanisms of floral, faunal, and human
adaptation to the distinct and difficult environment of these arid
zones, as well as the potential of modern technology for
facilitating adaptation, are described and explained by Walton in
the light of our most recent knowledge of the phenomena and
processes involved. Beginning with a clarification of the
definitions of arid and semi-arid regions and with the delineation
of techniques for measuring the degree of aridity in these areas,
the author shows that there is wide variation among the arid zones
in landscape and climate and that there are numerous local and
microclimates within any single arid region. The life cycles of the
plants and animals of the arid zones are described and the water
resources, including problems of salinity, mineral contamination,
and the construction of reservoirs, are examined. Extensive
treatment is given to potential agricultural adaptations and to
pastoralism as the most widespread response to dry land. A final
chapter summarizes attempts at adaptation to prevailing drought and
discusses the kinds of future development that the author deems
most likely in arid zones. Throughout the book emphasis is placed
on specific, detailed analysis, with adequate tables and formulas
for in-depth understanding of particular aspects of aridity.
Examples from both Old and New Worlds are used to demonstrate the
spheres in which progress is being made and to show the mistakes in
past and present land use in arid areas. An essential supplement
for courses in physical geography, the book will be useful in many
area studies and in studies of economic development.
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