Water and Life

About this book

Water and Life looks at two topics in environmental science:Water - begins with the fate of rain as it falls, looking at different modes of interception and how they can be measured. This is followed by a study of rivers: flows and changes in water composition, moving from river source to ocean. Water also flows through, and resides in the ground, and here the book looks at the interaction of this water with soils, at aquifers and springs. It then introduces modelling techniques to estimate flow rates and residence times. This topic is brought together with a discussion of the hydrological cycle.Life - introduces the concept of biodiversity by considering the variability of species distribution in different habitats. It then goes on to introduce the fundamentals of sampling and census, which allow this variation to be quantified. Ideas of the requirements for growth for a variety of flora and fauna are considered, along with the ability of an environment to supply these resources. This topic concludes by considering the concepts of stability and resilience in ecosystems. Throughout the book there are questions and activities for the reader to engage with. Answers and explanations are provided at the end of each sectionIf you would like to be able to undertake all the activities referred to in this book, it is recommended that you also purchase the Multimedia Activities Pack (Order Code S216/DVD/P3).

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