RESEARCH GUIDE: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
Topics On This Page:
In the Library
The Atlas of Coasts & Oceans : Ecosystems, Threatened Resources, Marine Conservation
by Don Hinrichsen
Highlights the effects of human civilization and climate change on coastal areas and oceans around the world
Dire Predictions : Understanding Global Warming
by Michael E. Mann and Lee R. Kump
Presents the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in graphic, visual formats
Physical Geography : A Landscape Appreciation
by Tom L. McKnight and Darrel Hess
Introduces the study of physical geography
Online
Companion Website for Physical Geography : A Landscape Appreciation 9th Edition
Online study guide to accompany the textbook Physical Geography : A Landscape Appreciation 9th Edition by Tom L. McKnight and Darrel Hess, with quizzes and links to other websites
Earth Revealed | Annenberg Learner
This free online video series on geology, with 26 half-hour videos, covers the Earth's interior, tectonic plates, the creation of mountains, sedimentation, erosion, earthquakes, volcanoes, minerals, rocks, soils, mass wasting, water features, glaciers, waves, beaches, coastal areas, and more
Meteorology Online Guides | WW2010 | University of Illinois
Each online guide provides a clear, basic explanation of a topic related to atmospheric science, such as clouds and precipitation, air masses and fronts, severe storms, and El Niño. Although the look of the site is dated, the content is very good
NOAA : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Provides information about weather, storms and natural disasters, and also ecology, fisheries, climate change, and more
USGS : U.S. Geological Survey
Provides information about climate and climate change, ecology and ecosystems, land use, agriculture, fisheries, forests, oceans, rivers, coastal areas, natural disasters, oil and gas, minerals, and other natural resources. Includes images, maps, and tutorials about basic concepts in geography
WERC : Western Ecological Research Center | USGS : U.S. Geological Survey
Provides research results and information about fire ecology, climate change, marine ecology, natural resources, invasive species, and wildlife in the Pacific Southwest (California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona)
In the Library
Fire, Chaparral, and Survival in Southern California
by Richard W. Halsey
Focuses on the chaparral ecosystem in southern California, and the effects of wildfires on that ecosystem
Introduction to Fire in California
by David Carle
Explores the behavior and effects of wild and controlled fires in California
Online
Fire | US Forest Service
Scientific information, written for a general audience, about wildfires and forest fires, including the impacts of climate change and invasive species, predicting and fighting fires, and the effects of fire on people, animals, plants, and the land
Fire & the Environment | Fire Safe Council of San Diego County
Provides links to resources that discuss the links between wildfire and climate change
Fire Ecology | USGS Western Ecological Research Center
Provides access to the latest research related to fire ecology
Fire Science | Pacific Southwest Research Station | US Forest Service
Scientific information, written for a general audience, about wildfires and forest fires in California and Hawaii
Wildfire | KQED Science
News, opinions, maps, videos, and more related to wildfires in California and the western United States, from the public media organization KQED
Online
*The Aftermath of the Gold Rush: Mining and Mercury in the Bay | Saving The Bay Education*
Includes a video describing the impacts of gold mining on the San Francisco Bay *Faculty recommendation
*Environmental Impact in the Gold Rush Era | Calisphere*
Provides a brief summary of the impacts of gold mining, with many old photos of gold mining and hydraulic mining *Faculty recommendation
*Gold | USGS*
Provides an introduction to gold throughout history *Faculty recommendation
*Mercury Contamination from Historical Gold Mining in California | USGS*
Provides background information on the use of mercury in historical gold mining and processing operations in California, and describes projects that address the potential risks associated with mercury contamination *Faculty recommendation
*Mining Techniques of the Sierra Nevada and Gold Country | Journal of Sierra Nevada History & Biography*
Describes various gold panning techniques used in California *Faculty recommendation
In the Library
Moby-Duck : The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea and of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists, and Fools, Including the Author, Who Went in Search of Them
by Donovan Hohn
Explores the phenomenon of floating garbage in the Pacific Ocean
Online
Adrift: Tracking the Global Ocean Circulation
This interactive map allows users to explore how all kinds of objects drift through the ocean
*De-mystifying the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” | NOAA*
Includes several pages of information and FAQs on garbage patch areas *Faculty recommendation
*Great Pacific Garbage Patch | National Geographic Society*
Explains the phenomenon of floating patches of garbage in the Pacific Ocean *Faculty recommendation
Great Pacific Garbage Patch | National Ocean Service | NOAA
This podcast explores the garbage patch areas in the Pacific Ocean
Trash Talk: What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? | Marine Debris Program | NOAA
This video provides an overview of garbage patch areas in the Pacific Ocean
*Trashed: Across the Pacific Ocean, Plastics, Plastics, Everywhere | Natural History Magazine*
Explains the phenomenon of floating patches of garbage in the Pacific Ocean *Faculty recommendation
*What We Know About the “Garbage Patches” | Marine Debris Program | NOAA*
Presents the basic facts about garbage patch areas in the Pacific Ocean *Faculty recommendation
Online
*Mississippi Delta | Union of Concerned Scientists [via the Internet Archive Wayback Machine]*
Explores the climate and changing environment of the Mississippi Delta region *Faculty recommendation
*Mississippi River Delta | National Wildlife Federation*
Explores the economy, wildlife and habitat loss in the Mississippi Delta *Faculty recommendation
*The Mississippi River Delta Basin | Louisiana CWPPRA*
Provides information about the geography of the Mississippi Delta and current restoration efforts *Faculty recommendation
Mississippi River Delta Issues | America’s Wetland Foundation
Explains the problems facing the Mississippi River Delta and coastal wetlands
DELTAS2010: World Delta Dialogues | America’s Wetland Foundation
Includes findings from a conference about river deltas and their restoration around the world, with specific recommendations for restoring the Mississippi River Delta
*Sediment and Nutrient Tradeoffs in Restoring Mississippi River Delta: Restoration vs Eutrophication (2009) | Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education*
Examines some of the environmental problems related to the Mississippi River Delta *Faculty recommendation
Online
Certification of Tropical Forests | FSC International
Provides information on the Forest Stewardship Council’s certification system for tropical forests
*Certified Tropical Wood LEED Credit | USGBC*
Provides information on the LEED credit available for the use of certified tropical wood. Requires free registration to access the Guide and Resources *Faculty recommendation
*How Does Deforestation Affect Orangutans? | Scientific American*
Examines the impact of deforestation on this endangered primate *Faculty recommendation
*The Root of the Problem: What’s Driving Tropical Deforestation Today (2011): Executive Summary | Union of Concerned Scientists*
This brief executive summary discusses the factors that contribute to deforestation and highlights successful efforts to reduce deforestation *Faculty recommendation
*The Root of the Problem: What’s Driving Tropical Deforestation Today (2011) | Union of Concerned Scientists*
This full report provides in-depth information regarding the factors that contribute to deforestation and successful efforts to reduce deforestation *Faculty recommendation
*Solutions for Deforestation-Free Wood Products (2012) | Union of Concerned Scientists*
Provides a summary of the environmental issues related to wood products, highlights successful efforts to promote more sustainable wood products, and includes a link to the full report “Wood for Good” *Faculty recommendation
*Tropical Deforestation (2007) | NASA Earth Observatory*
Examines the causes and impacts of tropical deforestation *Faculty recommendation
*What’s Driving Deforestation? | Union of Concerned Scientists*
Provides a brief summary of the factors that contribute to deforestation around the world *Faculty recommendation
*Wood for Good: Solutions for Deforestation-Free Wood Products | Union of Concerned Scientists*
Provides in-depth information about logging and deforestation, the environmental issues related to wood products, and efforts to promote more sustainable wood products *Faculty recommendation
Online
Tutorial on Earth/Sun Relations and Seasons
Covers the inclination of the Earth's axis; why we have seasons, equinoxes and solstices; and related topics
Tutorial on Humidity
Covers properties of water, latent heat, ways to express humidity (including relative humidity), adiabatic processes, and what happens to air rising up the side of a mountain
Online
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EMAIL DR. J. R. THORNGREN
For physical geography questions, email Dr. Thorngren
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