Overview
A quick reference to the planet's driest regions. This is an illustrated handbook that examines the fascinating eco-systems of 49 major deserts. Studying the history of deserts improves an understanding of the climatic conditions that create hostile environments. Deserts are located on every continent - including Antarctica. The book covers each with concise descriptions and quick-reference symbols and charts that display vital statistics such as average rainfall and temperatures, and expanse. Deserts are defined by their aridity and this lack of water results in conditions that are hostile to flora and fauna, prevent soil, and cause extreme swings of temperature. For instance, equatorial deserts can experience drops from 50[degrees]C during the day to lower than -10[degrees]C at night. * Some deserts are very old - the Kalahari has existed for 65-135 million years. Others are relative newcomers - the Sahara was Africa's Land-of-Lakes until the last Ice Age! * Firefly Guides are a beautifully produced top-quality Mondadori-printed international co-edition series.
Full Product Details
Author: Marco C. Stoppato ,
Alfredo Bini
Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd
Imprint: Firefly Books Ltd
Dimensions:
Width: 14.00cm
, Height: 2.20cm
, Length: 19.00cm
Weight: 0.540kg
ISBN: 9781552976692
ISBN 10: 1552976696
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 04 December 2003
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Out of Print
Availability: Awaiting stock
Reviews
Filled with lovely images of desert regions.--J.W. Green Choice (01/01/2004)
Color photos and illustrations abound ... an excellent pick for both science and social science holdings. -- Diane C. Donomvan Califoronia Bookwatch, The Midwest Book Review (01/01/2008)
"A fascinating work, which spans the deserts of the globe, treating each with the importance that it deserves... the artistic quality of individual photographs is evident and make reading this book a joy.-- (07/01/2004) An extraordinary reference book that any teacher of physical geography or ecology must have. Packed with information, this Firefly Guide is a pleasure to browse or read. Yet its greatest strength lies in its stunning photography that illustrates the dramatic diversity and beauty of the world's deserts.-- (08/01/2004) General-interest libraries strong on biomes and natural history will find a fine lay reader's guide to deserts in this illustrated survey of the ecology and nature of world deserts. Color photos and illustrations abound in a presentation packed with not only natural history but cultural and social insights into the societies which inhaibt desert environments around the world, making for an excellent pick for both science and social science holdings.-- (01/01/2008) Excellent book on deserts of the world.--Jennifer L. Rechel""Science Books and Films"" (04/15/2004) Filled with lovely images of desert regions.--J.W. Green""Choice"" (04/01/2004)"
Author Information
Marco C. Stoppato is a leading science photographer and geologist. His photographs appear in many travel and popular science magazines, including No Limits, Focus, Gullivers, Scienza & Vita, Aqua and Newton. Alfredo Bini teaches Geomorphology at the faculty of Geological Sciences at the University of Milan, Italy. An expert in landscape evolution, he has contributed to numerous scientific publications.
