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xv | |
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xxiii | |
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xxiv | |
Preface |
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xxv | |
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1 | (38) |
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Australia in the Physical World |
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3 | (11) |
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4 | (2) |
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How do physical geographers study the environment? |
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6 | (1) |
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7 | (3) |
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10 | (1) |
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Why be concerned about the Australian physical environment? |
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11 | (1) |
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12 | (1) |
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13 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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13 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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13 | (1) |
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The Earth in Space and Time |
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14 | (25) |
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15 | (1) |
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15 | (1) |
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16 | (4) |
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16 | (1) |
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Determining the age of the Earth |
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17 | (1) |
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Life and the Earth's atmosphere |
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18 | (2) |
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20 | (1) |
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20 | (6) |
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Density and Earth materials |
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20 | (1) |
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Magnetism and Earth materials |
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21 | (1) |
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Seismicity and Earth materials |
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21 | (4) |
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The interior of the Earth |
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25 | (1) |
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26 | (11) |
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30 | (1) |
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30 | (4) |
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The changing continental margins |
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34 | (1) |
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34 | (2) |
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Isostacy, sea levels and mountain chains |
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36 | (1) |
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Australia in a plate tectonics Earth |
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37 | (1) |
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37 | (1) |
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38 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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38 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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38 | (1) |
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PART 2 The Atmosphere and the Climate System |
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39 | (122) |
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41 | (27) |
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42 | (1) |
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42 | (1) |
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Atmospheric composition and structure |
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42 | (5) |
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The Sun as the source of energy |
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47 | (4) |
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The solar constant and solar spectrum |
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47 | (2) |
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Spatial variations of solar energy at the top of the atmosphere |
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49 | (2) |
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The radiation budget of the Earth-atmosphere system |
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51 | (10) |
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Incoming shortwave radiation |
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51 | (1) |
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Atmospheric scattering and absorption |
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51 | (3) |
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54 | (1) |
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Shortwave radiation absorption at the Earth's surface, and albedo |
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54 | (3) |
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Longwave radiation from the Earth's surface |
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57 | (4) |
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Net radiation and its global distribution |
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61 | (5) |
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Sensible heat and temperature |
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61 | (3) |
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Heat flux to the sub-surface and impacts on seasonal and diurnal temperatures |
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64 | (2) |
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66 | (1) |
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67 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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67 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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67 | (1) |
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68 | (21) |
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69 | (1) |
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Surface wind zones and pressure cells |
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70 | (2) |
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Upper tropospheric-lower stratospheric circulation and the jet streams |
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72 | (2) |
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Synoptic circulation brings weather variations |
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74 | (7) |
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Characteristics of high pressure systems |
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74 | (4) |
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Characteristics of low pressure systems |
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78 | (1) |
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Synoptic circulation patterns over Australia |
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79 | (1) |
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Winds associated with highs and lows |
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80 | (1) |
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Regional and local circulation |
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81 | (7) |
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Defining the appropriate climate scale |
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81 | (1) |
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Australian regional-scale circulation systems |
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82 | (1) |
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82 | (1) |
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82 | (1) |
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83 | (1) |
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84 | (1) |
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Drainage, katabatic, and anabatic flows |
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84 | (1) |
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84 | (3) |
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The morning glory in the Gulf of Carpentaria |
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87 | (1) |
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88 | (1) |
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88 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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88 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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88 | (1) |
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Hydrologic Systems and Atmospheric Processes |
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89 | (28) |
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90 | (1) |
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90 | (1) |
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Moisture in the atmosphere |
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91 | (3) |
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Cloud formation, convection, and instability |
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94 | (6) |
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94 | (2) |
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96 | (1) |
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Determining atmospheric stability |
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97 | (1) |
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98 | (1) |
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Cloud droplet formation and growth |
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98 | (2) |
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100 | (1) |
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100 | (3) |
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Synoptic and regional precipitation |
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103 | (11) |
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Fronts and frontal theory |
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104 | (2) |
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Frontal life cycles in the Australian region |
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106 | (1) |
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The influence of upper tropospheric waves |
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107 | (1) |
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107 | (1) |
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Thunderstorms and their hazards |
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108 | (2) |
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110 | (1) |
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Downbursts and microbursts |
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111 | (1) |
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111 | (3) |
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Precipitation in northern Australia |
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114 | (1) |
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Global precipitation distribution |
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114 | (1) |
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115 | (1) |
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115 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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115 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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116 | (1) |
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Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions |
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117 | (21) |
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118 | (1) |
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Ocean circulation and heat transport |
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118 | (2) |
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120 | (3) |
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120 | (1) |
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121 | (1) |
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122 | (1) |
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123 | (1) |
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123 | (1) |
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The oceans and atmospheric instability |
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123 | (10) |
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The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) |
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123 | (1) |
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The Southern Oscillation and El Nino |
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124 | (4) |
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128 | (2) |
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130 | (1) |
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130 | (1) |
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131 | (1) |
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132 | (1) |
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Geographical location and examples of damage |
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132 | (1) |
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Antarctic circumpolar lows |
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133 | (3) |
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136 | (1) |
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136 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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137 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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137 | (1) |
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138 | (23) |
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138 | (2) |
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Koppen's climatic environments |
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140 | (9) |
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Tropical rainy climates: A climates (Af, Am, Aw) |
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141 | (1) |
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142 | (1) |
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Dry climates: B climates (BS, BW) |
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143 | (2) |
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Mid-latitude, warm winter climates: C climates (Cf, Cs, Cw) |
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145 | (1) |
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Mid-latitude, cold winter climates: D climates (Df, Dw) |
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146 | (1) |
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Polar climates: E climates (ET, EF) |
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147 | (1) |
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Highland climates: H climates |
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147 | (2) |
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Climate classification for Australia: a summary |
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149 | (1) |
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150 | (1) |
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Human interactions with climate |
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150 | (9) |
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150 | (4) |
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154 | (2) |
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156 | (1) |
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Urban impacts on fog and precipitation |
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157 | (1) |
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Climate environments and their impacts on humans |
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157 | (2) |
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159 | (1) |
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160 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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160 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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160 | (1) |
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PART 3 The Surface of the Earth |
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161 | (128) |
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The Development of the Landscape |
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163 | (25) |
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164 | (1) |
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Nature of the lithosphere and morphology of its surface |
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164 | (7) |
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164 | (2) |
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166 | (4) |
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170 | (1) |
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Structures affecting continental surfaces |
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171 | (4) |
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171 | (2) |
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173 | (1) |
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Joint patterns and bedding planes |
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174 | (1) |
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175 | (1) |
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Weathering and sediment production |
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175 | (9) |
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176 | (3) |
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179 | (3) |
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182 | (1) |
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Mineral weathering sequence |
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182 | (2) |
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184 | (2) |
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184 | (1) |
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185 | (1) |
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Landslides and mass movement |
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185 | (1) |
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186 | (1) |
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186 | (1) |
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187 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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187 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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187 | (1) |
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Landscapes, Sediments, and Soil Development |
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188 | (27) |
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189 | (1) |
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The lithosphere and the landscape |
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189 | (5) |
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Multi-lithology landscapes |
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189 | (1) |
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190 | (4) |
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Landscapes and the inheritance factor |
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194 | (1) |
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194 | (4) |
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194 | (1) |
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Humid temperate landscapes |
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195 | (1) |
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195 | (1) |
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196 | (2) |
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198 | (15) |
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198 | (1) |
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198 | (1) |
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198 | (1) |
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199 | (1) |
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200 | (1) |
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201 | (1) |
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202 | (1) |
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203 | (1) |
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203 | (1) |
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203 | (1) |
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204 | (1) |
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204 | (1) |
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204 | (1) |
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205 | (1) |
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205 | (1) |
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205 | (1) |
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205 | (1) |
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206 | (1) |
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206 | (1) |
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Patterns of distribution of soil types |
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206 | (4) |
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210 | (1) |
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211 | (1) |
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Soils: a dynamic part of changing landscapes |
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212 | (1) |
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213 | (1) |
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213 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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214 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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214 | (1) |
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215 | (27) |
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Processes of landscape change |
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216 | (1) |
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Slopewash or surface wash |
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216 | (4) |
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Sheet, rill and gully erosion |
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217 | (1) |
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217 | (1) |
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218 | (2) |
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Water erosion and gullying |
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220 | (3) |
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223 | (6) |
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In-channel flow and mechanisms of sediment transport |
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223 | (2) |
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225 | (2) |
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Rivers in humid and arid Australia |
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227 | (1) |
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Streams and sediment deposition |
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228 | (1) |
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Glacial and periglacial processes and landforms |
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229 | (4) |
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Quaternary glaciations and effects in Australia |
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230 | (2) |
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Ice movement as a sculpting agent in landscapes |
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232 | (1) |
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Glacial and periglacial landforms |
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233 | (1) |
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Groundwater and salt in the landscape |
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233 | (3) |
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Groundwater and salinisation |
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234 | (2) |
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Human-induced accelerated erosion |
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236 | (4) |
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Urban development, transport, and mining |
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236 | (4) |
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240 | (1) |
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241 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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241 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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241 | (1) |
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242 | (22) |
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243 | (1) |
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243 | (2) |
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Distribution of aeolian landforms |
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245 | (3) |
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Erosional aeolian landforms |
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248 | (3) |
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248 | (1) |
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249 | (1) |
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249 | (1) |
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249 | (2) |
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Depositional aeolian landforms |
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251 | (4) |
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252 | (3) |
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Linked erosional and depositional systems |
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255 | (2) |
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Dust storms, arid lands, and desertification |
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257 | (5) |
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262 | (1) |
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263 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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263 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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263 | (1) |
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264 | (25) |
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265 | (1) |
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265 | (9) |
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266 | (1) |
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266 | (3) |
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269 | (1) |
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269 | (3) |
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272 | (1) |
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273 | (1) |
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273 | (1) |
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274 | (5) |
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Cliffs and processes of cliff retreat |
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274 | (3) |
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277 | (2) |
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Depositional systems and beaches |
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279 | (8) |
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279 | (3) |
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282 | (1) |
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282 | (1) |
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282 | (1) |
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282 | (2) |
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284 | (3) |
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287 | (1) |
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288 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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288 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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288 | (1) |
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289 | (102) |
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291 | (45) |
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292 | (1) |
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The first ninety per cent of Earth's history |
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292 | (2) |
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294 | (6) |
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The first flowering plants |
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295 | (5) |
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Reconstructing past floras |
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300 | (9) |
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The development of vegetation in the Tertiary |
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302 | (3) |
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305 | (2) |
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The great oscillations of the Quaternary |
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307 | (2) |
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Evolution and spread of humans |
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309 | (1) |
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Rise of Agriculture, of sorts, in Australia |
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310 | (5) |
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Extinction during the prehistoric period |
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311 | (4) |
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Population changes in prehistoric Australia |
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315 | (1) |
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The transition from the prehistoric to historic period |
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315 | (13) |
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Introductions of new species |
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315 | (1) |
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Clearing the land and extinctions |
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316 | (9) |
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325 | (1) |
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Salt and nutrient impacts |
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326 | (1) |
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327 | (1) |
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328 | (3) |
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A summary of the last 50 million years |
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331 | (1) |
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The biogeographic elements |
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332 | (1) |
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333 | (1) |
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334 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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334 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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335 | (1) |
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336 | (26) |
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337 | (1) |
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337 | (2) |
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339 | (1) |
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340 | (2) |
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The basis of species-environment interaction |
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342 | (3) |
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Surviving catastrophe and environmental change: the role of dispersal |
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345 | (4) |
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349 | (1) |
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349 | (3) |
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352 | (2) |
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Adapting to unreliable rainfall |
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354 | (1) |
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Function, adaptation and form |
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354 | (6) |
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360 | (1) |
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361 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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361 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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361 | (1) |
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Communities and Ecosystems |
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362 | (29) |
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362 | (2) |
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Composition of a community |
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364 | (1) |
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Description of communities |
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364 | (11) |
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367 | (5) |
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372 | (2) |
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374 | (1) |
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Dynamics of communities and ecosystems |
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375 | (7) |
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Measuring land cover change |
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378 | (3) |
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A role for pollen analysis |
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381 | (1) |
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Measuring human impact on vegetation systems |
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381 | (1) |
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Managing native vegetation |
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382 | (7) |
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The big picture in conservation: a national park system |
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383 | (6) |
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389 | (1) |
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390 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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390 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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390 | (1) |
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PART 5 Looking Towards the Future |
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391 | (19) |
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Current Trends in Environmental Systems |
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393 | (17) |
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394 | (1) |
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394 | (4) |
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394 | (2) |
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Climate change and agriculture |
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396 | (1) |
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397 | (1) |
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398 | (3) |
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398 | (3) |
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401 | (1) |
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401 | (1) |
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402 | (1) |
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Trends in sustainable development |
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403 | (3) |
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406 | (2) |
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408 | (1) |
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Internet sites of interest |
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408 | (1) |
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Suggestions for further reading |
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408 | (2) |
Appendix: Field Maps: A Key Tool for Geography and Environmental Science |
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410 | (3) |
Glossary |
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413 | (9) |
Sources for Figures and Tables |
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422 | (2) |
References |
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424 | (4) |
Index |
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428 | |