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Principles and Dynamics of the Critical Zone
1st Edition, Volume 19 - June 18, 2015
Editors: John R. Giardino, Chris Houser
Language: English
Hardback ISBN:9780444633699
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 4 - 6 3 3 6 9 - 9
eBook ISBN:9780444634122
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 4 - 6 3 4 1 2 - 2
Principles and Dynamics of the Critical Zone is an invaluable resource for undergraduate and graduate courses and an essential tool for researchers developing cutting-e…Read more
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Principles and Dynamics of the Critical Zone is an invaluable resource for undergraduate and graduate courses and an essential tool for researchers developing cutting-edge proposals. It provides a process-based description of the Critical Zone, a place that The National Research Council (2001) defines as the "heterogeneous, near surface environment in which complex interactions involving rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms regulate the natural habitat and determine the availability of life-sustaining resources." This text provides a summary of Critical Zone research and outcomes from the NSF funded Critical Zone Observatories, providing a process-based description of the Critical Zone in a wide range of environments with a specific focus on the important linkages that exist amongst the processes in each zone. This book will be useful to all scientists and students conducting research on the Critical Zone within and outside the Critical Zone Observatory Network, as well as scientists and students in the geosciences – atmosphere, geomorphology, geology and pedology.
The first text to address the principles and concepts of the Critical Zone
A comprehensive approach to the processes responsible for the development and structure of the Critical Zone in a number of environments
An essential tool for undergraduate and graduate students, and researchers developing cutting-edge proposals
Scientists and students conducting research on the Critical Zone within and outside the Critical Zone Observatory Network, as well as scientists and students in the geosciences: atmosphere, geomorphology, geology and pedology
Dedication
List of Contributors
Foreword
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Critical Zone
Abstract
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Brief history and background of the Critical Zone observation network and Critical Zone Observatories
1.3. Development of the global Critical Zone network
1.4. Water, the true thread of the Critical Zone
1.5. The fashion of Critical Zone research
Chapter 2: The Role of Critical Zone Observatories in Critical Zone Science
Abstract
2.1. The critical zone
2.2. Critical zone observatories (CZOs)
2.3. Common science questions
2.4. Common measurements conceptual framework and goals
2.5. International CZ program of research and education
2.6. Conclusion
Chapter 3: Climate of the Critical Zone
Abstract
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Soil moisture
3.3. Anthropogenic influence
3.4. Soil moisture–evapotranspiration coupling
3.5. Soil moisture–temperature coupling
3.6. Soil moisture–precipitation coupling
3.7. Conclusions
Chapter 4: Regolith and Weathering (Rock Decay) in the Critical Zone
Abstract
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Weathering relevance to other Critical Zone processes
4.3. Types of weathering (rock decay)
4.4. Factors relevant to rock decay
4.5. Rock decay in three dimensions: the “weathering mantle”
4.6. Rock decay in the fourth dimension: time and rates in the Critical Zone
4.7. Conclusions
Chapter 5: Soil Morphology in the Critical Zone: The Role of Climate, Geology, and Vegetation in Soil Formation in the Critical Zone
Abstract
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Models of soil formation
5.3. Geochemistry and soil development
5.4. Soil properties and geology
5.5. Soil properties and vegetation
5.6. Conclusions
Chapter 6: Soil Geochemistry in the Critical Zone: Influence on Atmosphere, Surface- and Groundwater Composition
Abstract
6.1. Introduction
6.2. Material for soil geochemical reactions
6.3. Soil biogeochemical reactions and their impact on the composition of atmosphere, surface- and groundwaters
6.4. Climate as overarching control on soil geochemistry and its feedback to atmosphere, surface- and groundwater composition
6.5. Conclusions
Chapter 7: A Terrestrial Landscape Ecology Approach to the Critical Zone
Abstract
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Goal of chapter
7.3. Boundaries of Critical Zone
7.4. Current focus of research in landscape ecology and the Critical Zone program
7.5. Development of landscape ecology as a discipline
7.6. Landscape ecology definition and focus
7.7. Landscape ecology concepts
7.8. Landscape heterogeneity
7.9. Tools for the recognition of structure, process, and change of landscapes
7.10. Landscape ecology in the Critical Zone
7.11. The role of interdisciplinarity in Critical Zone research
7.12. Interdisciplinarity in landscape ecology and Critical Zone research
7.13. How to deal with complexity in the study of the Critical Zone
7.14. Complexity of landscapes and geomorphology
7.15. Conclusions
Chapter 8: Ecohydrology and the Critical Zone: Processes and Patterns Across Scales
Abstract
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Scales of interaction in ecohydrological patterns and processes
8.3. Ecohydrological processes and patterns at the patch scale
8.4. Ecohydrological processes and patterns at the hillslope scale
8.5. Ecohydrological processes and patterns at the catchment scale
8.6. Impacts and feedbacks across scales
Chapter 9: Rivers in the Critical Zone
Abstract
9.1. Introduction
9.2. How rivers reflect connectivity
9.3. How rivers influence connectivity
9.4. Human alterations of river connectivity
9.5. River restoration
9.6. Rivers in the Critical Zone
Chapter 10: Characteristic and Role of Groundwater in the Critical Zone
Abstract
10.1. Introduction
10.2. Role of groundwater in ECZ
10.3. Models of Earth-surface processes
10.4. Coupled models
10.5. Summary and conclusions
Acknowledgments
Chapter 11: A Review of Mass Movement Processes and Risk in the Critical Zone of Earth
Abstract
11.1. Introduction
11.2. Mass movement in the Critical Zone of Earth
11.3. Forces in mass movement
11.4. Types and characteristics of mass movement
11.5. Causes of mass movement
11.6. Spatial and temporal scale of mass movement
11.7. Contribution to the evolution of mountain environments
11.8. Susceptibility/slopestability mapping
11.9. A case study: characteristics of landslides in western Colorado
11.10. Impact of mass movement in the Critical Zone
11.11. Living with mass movement in the Critical Zone
11.12. Summary
Chapter 12: The Impact of Glacial Geomorphology on Critical Zone Processes
Abstract
12.1. Introduction
12.2. Goal of this chapter
12.3. Glacier mass balance
12.4. Glacial chronology and Quaternary glaciation
12.5. Glacial features in the Critical Zone
12.6. Types of glaciers
12.7. Erosional processes and forms
12.8. Erosional process
12.9. Erosional forms
12.10. Glacial transport and deposition
12.11. Glacier ecosystem
12.12. Living in the Critical Zone of glaciated landscape
12.13. Implications for the 21st century
12.14. Summary
Chapter 13: Periglacial Processes and Landforms in the Critical Zone
Abstract
13.1. Introduction
13.2. Goal of this chapter
13.3. What does periglacial mean?
13.4. Description of permafrost
13.5. Periglacial Landforms and Associated Processes
13.6. Ground ice
13.7. Segregated ice
13.8. Ice wedges
13.9. Frost mounds
13.10. Pingos
13.11. Patterned ground
13.12. Thermokarst
13.13. Description of surface to near-surface, frost-action processes
13.14. Mass movement
13.15. Solifluction
13.16. Detachment layers
13.17. Retrogressive-fall slumping
13.18. Snow avalanches and slush flows
13.19. Rock falls
13.20. Rock glaciers
13.21. The impact of the periglacial Critical Zone on human activity
13.22. Summary and conclusions
Chapter 14: The Critical Zone in Desert Environments
Abstract
14.1. Introduction
14.2. Main features of the Critical Zone in arid lands
14.3. Geomorphic and geologic factors influencing the CZ in deserts
14.4. Numerical modeling of soil and regolith movement on desert hillslopes
14.5. Landscape development in deserts – examples from the Mojave Desert, CA
14.6. Conclusions
Chapter 15: The Critical Zone in Tropical Environments
Abstract
15.1. Introduction
15.2. Importance of tropical environment and its relationship with CZ
15.3. Biology and Holdridge life zones
15.4. Economical importance of the CZ in the tropics
15.5. Importance of CZ studies in preventing natural disasters
15.6. A case study in soil weathering in tropical environments: Puerto Rico versus Sri Lanka
15.7. Climate change and its effect on Critical Zones in the tropics
15.8. Costa Rica: suggesting a new CZO
15.9. Discussion
15.10. Conclusions
Acknowledgment
Chapter 16: The Critical Zone of Coastal Barrier Systems
Abstract
16.1. Introduction
16.2. Transgression and regression
16.3. Coastal dunes as a central node in the Barrier Island system
16.4. Alongshore and across-shore variation in the Barrier Island Critical Zone
16.5. Discussion
16.6. Conclusions
Chapter 17: Geospatial Science and Technology for Understanding the Complexities of the Critical Zone
Abstract
17.1. Introduction
17.2. Background
17.3. Surface irradiance modeling
17.4. Geocomputational modeling
17.5. Discussion
17.6. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Chapter 18: The Built Environment in the Critical Zone: From Pre- to Postindustrial Cities
Abstract
18.1. Introduction
18.2. Urbanization and the Critical Zone
18.3. Environmental and urban sustainability
18.4. Compact city: a harmonic relationship between the city and the Critical Zone
18.5. Conclusions
Chapter 19: Natural and Anthropogenic Factors Affecting Groundwater in the Critical Zone of the Texas Triangle Megaregion
Abstract
19.1. Introduction
19.2. Goal of the chapter
19.3. Impact of population growth
19.4. Description of the study area
19.5. Physical divisions and ecoregions
19.6. Southwest Plateau and Plains Dry Steppe and Shrub Province
19.7. Aquifer structure and stratigraphy
19.8. Surface water resources
19.9. Living in the Critical Zone: anthropogenic factors affecting groundwater in the Critical Zone of the Texas-Triangle Megaregion
19.10. Anthropogenic hydrological alterations in the Critical Zone
19.11. Water management policy in the Texas Triangle Megaregion: implications for the Critical Zone
19.12. Managing the water resources of the Critical Zone in Texas
19.13. Summary and conclusions
Chapter 20: A Summary and Future Direction of the Principles and Dynamics of the Critical Zone
Abstract
20.1. Introduction
20.2. From present to the future
Acknowledgments
Subject Index
No. of pages: 674
Language: English
Edition: 1
Volume: 19
Published: June 18, 2015
Imprint: Elsevier
Hardback ISBN: 9780444633699
eBook ISBN: 9780444634122
JG
John R. Giardino
Dr. John R. (Rick) Giardino is a process geomorphologist whose research is focused on mass movement and fluvial activity in periglacial environments. He studies rock glaciers, landslides and mountain streams from a system perspective focusing on the transport of mass and energy through these landform systems. Dr. Giardino is Professor in the Geology and Geophysics Department and the Water Management and Hydrological Sciences Graduate Program. He is currently Head of Geology and Geophysics, and he was the former Dean of Graduate Studies at Texas A&M University.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Geology & Geophysics and Water Management and Hydrological Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
CH
Chris Houser
Dr. Chris Houser is a process geomorphologist with a focus on coastal and aeolian environments and an interest in the response and recovery of barrier islands to relative sea level rise and changes in the frequency and magnitude of storm events. An important component of his research is the exchange of sediment amongst the nearshore, beach and dune in the development of coastal dunes, which ultimately controls the development of the critical zone in coastal barrier environments. Dr. Houser is also the Director for the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site: Ecohydrology of a Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (http://costaricareu.tamu.edu/), which allows undergraduate students to characterize the hydrology of a small tropical watershed using a systems approach. Dr. Houser is currently an Associate Professor in the Departments of Geography and Geology & Geophysics at Texas A&M University and serves as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Faculty Development.
Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor of Geography and Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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