Polar environments and global change

Barry, Roger G. (Roger Graham) 1935- (author.). Hall-McKim, Eileen A., (author.).

Summary: "The Polar regions are the 'canary in the coal mine' of climate change: they are likely to be hit the hardest and fastest. This comprehensive textbook provides an accessible introduction to the scientific study of polar environments against a backdrop of climate change and the wider global environment. The book assembles diverse information on polar environmental characteristics in terrestrial and oceanic domains, and describes the ongoing changes in climate, the oceans, and components of the cryosphere. Recent significant changes in the polar region caused by global warming are explored: shrinking Arctic sea ice, thawing permafrost, accelerating loss of mass from glaciers and ice sheets, and rising ocean temperatures. These rapidly changing conditions are discussed in the context of the paleoclimatic history of the polar regions from the Eocene to the Anthropocene. Future projections for these regions during the 21st Century are discussed. The text is illustrated with many color figures and tables, and includes further reading lists, review questions for each chapter, and a glossary"--

Record details

ISBN: 9781108436359
ISBN: 9781108423168
ISBN: 1108423167
ISBN: 1108436358
Physical Description: print
xxiii, 418 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), maps (chiefly color) ; 25 cm
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: Cambridge, United Kingdom : Cambridge University Press, 2018.
Copyright: ©2018

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	The setting, history of studies, and the climatic role of the cryosphere -- Paleoclimatic history -- Observing polar environments -- Atmospheric and oceanic circulation and climate -- Terrestrial environments and surface types of the Polar regions -- Ice sheets and ice shelves -- Oceanic environments -- The Third Pole -- Future environments in the polar regions.