Natural Processes and Human Impacts: Interactions Between Humanity and the Environment

ISBN-13: 9789401777926 / Angielski / Miękka / 2016 / 657 str.

Sergey M. Govorushko

Opis

This book explains how various natural processes influence humanity, including its economic activities and engineering structures. It also illuminates the ways in which human activity puts pressure on the natural environment.

Spis treści

Foreword
Preface
Introduction

Part 1. Natural processes and their impacts on human activity 

1. Geological processes: 1.1. Seismic processes; 1.2. Cryogenic processes; 1.3. Karst; 1.4. Suffosion; 1.5. Swamping; 1.6. Floating earth and quicksands; 1.7. Swelling and shrinkage; 1.8. Land subsidence

2. Geomorphologic processes: 2.1. Rockfalls; 2.2. Screes; 2.3. Avalanches; 2.4. Landslides; 2.5. Submarine landslides and turbidity currents; 2.6. Mud flows; 2.7. Rock streams; 2.8. Aufeises; 2.9. Aeolian processes; 2.10. Soil erosion; 2.11. River erosion; 2.12. Abrasion

3. Meteorological processes: 3.1. Tropical cyclones; 3.2. Extratropical cyclones; 3.3. Tornadoes; 3.4. Thunderstorms; 3.5. Blizzards; 3.6. Droughts; 3.7. Precipitation; 3.8. Atmospheric pressure; 3.9. Wind; 3.10. Temperature; 3.11. Solar radiation; 3.12. Cloudiness; 3.13. Humidity; 3.14. Glaze; 3.15. Ice-covered ground

4. Hydrological processes: 4.1. River floods; 4.2. Wind-induced surges (coastal floods); 4.3. Sea currents; 4.5. Sea and lake ice; 4.6. River ice; 4.7. Ice jams; 4.8. Waterfalls; 4.9. Tides; 4.10. Waves; 4.11. Glaciers; 4.12. Rock glaciers; 4.13. Variation of non-draining lake levels; 4.14. Upwelling and downwelling

5. Biological processes: 5.1. Agricultural pests; 5.2. Forest pests; 5.3. Plant diseases; 5.4. Diseases of animals and humans; 5.5. Weeds; 5.6. Bloodsucking insects and animals; 5.7. Predatory animals; 5.8. Venomous and poisonous animals and insects; 5.9. Other dangerous animals; 5.10. Poisonous plants; 5.11. Bioinvasions; 5.12. Biodeterioration; 5.13. Natural fires; 5.14. Environmental allergens

6. Biogeochemical processes: 6.1. Salinization of soils; 6.2. Microelementoses; 6.3. Fish suffocation; 6.4. Gas bursts from basins; 6.5. Underground fires

7. Cosmic processes: 7.1. Collisions with cosmic bodies; 7.2. Magnetic storms; 7.3. Regime of solar illumination; 7.4. Cosmic radiation.

Part 2. Human impacts on the environment 

8. Electric power industry; 8.1. Hydropower structures; 8.2. Thermal power structures; 8.3. Nuclear power plants; 8.4. Non-traditional or alternative power structures; 8.5. Power transmission and communication lines

9. Industry: 9.1. Chemical industry; 9.2. Metallurgy; 9.3. Mechanical engineering; 9.4. Building materials industry; 9.5. Woodworking industry; 9.6. Wood pulp and paper industry; 9.7. Light industry; 9.8. Food processing industry

10. Mining and mineral processing: 10.1. Opencast mines; 10.2. Underground mines; 10.3. Drag and hydraulic extraction of deposits; 10.4. In situ and heap leaching; 10.5. Land oil and gas development; 10.6. Sea bottom oil and gas development

11. Agriculture and forestry: 11.1. Agriculture; 11.2. Forestry

12. Transport: 12.1. Automobile transport; 12.2. Railway transport; 12.3. Pipeline transport; 12.4. Air transport; 12.5. Water transport

13. Other kinds of activity: 13.1. Fisheries; 13.2. Aquaculture; 13.3. Hunting; 13.4. Water transfers; 13.5. Housing and communal services; 13.6. Recreational activity; 13.7. Sports activity; 13.8. Military activity; 13.9. Space exploration; 13.10. Health and veterinary services; 13.11. Ritual activity

Index

Blurb

This highly topical book comes at a time when the two-way relationship between humankind and the environment is moving inexorably to the top of the agenda. It covers both sides of this delicate balancing act, explaining how various natural processes influence humanity, including its economic activities and engineering structures, while also illuminating the ways in which human activity puts pressure on the natural environment. Chapters analyze a varied selection of phenomena that directly affect people’s lives, from geological processes such as earthquakes and tsunamis to cosmic events such as magnetic storms. The author moves on to consider the effect we have on nature, ranging from the impact of heavy industry to the environmental consequences of sport and recreational pastimes. Complete with maps, photographs and detailed case studies, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the biggest issue we face as a species—the way we relate to the natural world around us.

This book includes more than 100 maps showing the global distribution of different natural processes/human activities and more that 450 photographs from many countries and all oceans. It will provide a valuable resource for both graduate students and researchers in many fields of knowledge.

Sergey Govorushko is a chief research scholar at the Pacific Geographical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences. He is also Professor at the Far Eastern Federal University (Vladivostok). Sergey Govorushko received his PhD from the Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences. His research activities focus on the interaction between humanity and the environment, including the impact of nature on humanity; the impact of humanity on the environment; and assessment of the interaction (environmental impact assessment, environmental audit, etc.). He has authored eight and co-authored seven monographs.