Hugh M. French

The Periglacial Environment (eBook, PDF)

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

The Periglacial Environment, Third Edition, providesan authoritative overview of the worldâ??s cold, non-glacialenvironments. Emphasis is placed upon the North American andEurasian polar lowlands, but examples are also drawn fromAntarctica, the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau, and the northernmid-latitudes. First published in 1976 and subsequently revised in1996, the text has been the international standardfor over 30 years. The Third Edition continues to be a personal interpretation ofthe frost-induced conditions, geomorphic processes, and landformsthat typify periglacial environments. The text is divided into fourparts. Part One discusses the periglacial concept and itsinteractions with geomorphology, geocryology and Quaternaryscience. It also outlines the range and variability of periglacialclimates and the degree to which landscapes are ingeomorphic equilibrium with prevailing periglacial conditions. PartTwo describes present-day terrain that is either underlain bypermafrost or experiencing intense frost action. The roles playedby cryogenic weathering, ground ice, mass wasting, running water,wind action, snow and ice, and coastal processes are systematicallyanalysed. Part Three summarizes evidence for the existence ofperiglacial conditions during the cold periods of the Pleistocene,with special reference to the mid-latitudes of Europe and NorthAmerica. Part Four illustrates the geotechnical problems associatedwith human activity and resource development in periglacialenvironments, and discusses the potential impact of global climatechange in the northern high latitudes. This excellent textbook is an invaluable resource for second andthird year undergraduate students of Physical Geography, Geology,Environmental Science and Earth Science. The PeriglacialEnvironment, Third Edition is also an informativereading for professionals, researchers and lecturers working andteaching in the field.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: John Wiley & Sons
• Erscheinungstermin: 6. Februar 2007
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9780470865903
• Artikelnr.: 37299432

Autorenporträt

Hugh French has taught at The University of Ottawa, Canada, in the Departments of Geography (1967-2003), Geology (1980-1992) and Earth Sciences (1998-2003). He has been Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Ottawa (1992-1997), President of the International Permafrost Association (1998-2003), and Editor-in-Chief of Permafrost and Periglacial Processes (1990-2005). He is now Professor Emeritus, University of Ottawa.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface to Fourth Edition xv

Preface to Third Edition xvii

Preface to Second Edition xix

Preface to First Edition xxi

Acknowledgments xxiii

Part I The Periglacial Domain 1

1 Introduction 3

1.1 The Periglacial Concept 3

1.2 Diagnostic Criteria 4

1.3 Periglacial Environments 5

1.4 The Periglacial Domain 6

1.5 The Periglacial Domain and the Cryosphere 9

1.6 Disciplinary Considerations 10

1.6.1 The Growth of Geocryology 10

1.6.2 The Challenge of Quaternary Science 11

1.6.3 Periglacial Geomorphology or Cold-Region Geomorphology? 12

1.7 Societal Considerations 12

1.8 The Growth of Periglacial Knowledge 13

2 Periglacial Climates 17

2.1 Boundary Conditions 17

2.2 Cold Deserts 17

2.3 Regional Climates 19

2.3.1 High Arctic Climates 22

2.3.2 Continental Climates 24

2.3.3 Alpine Climates 24

2.3.4 Montane Climates 25

2.3.5 Climates of Low Annual Temperature Range 25

2.3.6 Antarctica: A Special Case 26

2.4 Snow and Ice 26

2.5 Wind 28

2.6 Ground Climates 28

2.6.1 The 'n'-Factor 28

2.6.2 TheThermal Offset 29

2.6.3 The Ground Temperature Regime 31

2.7 Periglacial Climates and Global Climate Change 35

2.7.1 Basic Facts 37

2.7.2 Why Climate-Cryosphere Interactions Accelerate ClimateWarming 38

3 Periglacial Ecosystems 41

3.1 General Statement 41

3.2 Biogeographic Zonation and Major Vegetation Types 41

3.3 Adaptations to Cold, Snow,Wind and Aridity 44

3.4 The Effect of Vegetation 44

3.5 The Polar Deserts 47

3.5.1 High Polar Deserts 47

3.5.2 The Polar Semi-Deserts 47

3.6 The Polar Desert-Tundra Transition 49

3.7 The Low-Arctic Tundra 49

3.8 The Forest-Tundra Bioclimatic Boundary (The Tree Line) 53

3.9 The Boreal Forest 56

3.10 The Alpine and Montane Ecosystems 58

3.11 Antarctica - A Special Case 60

3.12 Periglacial Ecosystems and Climate Change 61

Part II Frozen Ground and Permafrost 63

4 Ground Freezing, Permafrost and the Active Layer 65

4.1 Introduction 65

4.2 Ground Freezing 65

4.2.1 Basic Concepts 65

4.2.2 Ice Segregation 67

4.2.3 'The Frozen Fringe' 69

4.2.4 Frost Heave 69

4.3 Perennially-Frozen Ground (Permafrost) 70

4.4 Moisture and IceWithin Permafrost 72

4.5 Thermal and Physical Properties 73

4.5.1 The Geothermal Regime 73

4.5.2 The TTOP Model 76

4.5.3 Physical Properties 77

4.5.4 Thermal Properties 78

4.6 Permafrost Hydrology 78

4.6.1 Aquifers 79

4.6.2 Hydrochemistry 80

4.6.3 Groundwater Icings 81

4.7 The Active Layer 82

4.7.1 Terminology 82

4.7.2 The Active-LayerThermal Regime 83

4.7.3 The Transient Layer 83

4.7.4 The Stefan Equation 84

5 Permafrost Distribution and Stability 87

5.1 Introduction 87

5.2 Controls over Permafrost Distribution 87

5.2.1 Relief and Aspect 87

5.2.2 Rock Type 88

5.2.3 Vegetation 90

5.2.4 Snow Cover 90

5.2.5 Fire 92

5.2.6 Lakes and SurfaceWater Bodies 92

5.3 Spatial Extent of Permafrost and Frozen Ground 93

5.3.1 Latitudinal Permafrost 93

5.3.2 Alpine (Mountain) Permafrost 95

5.3.3 Montane