Earth and Environmental Science: The Preliminary Course

Introduction

Section 1. Planet Earth and its environment

1.1 Observing our universe
1.2 The origin of the universe
1.3 The Sun and the solar system
1.4 The early Earth and its atmosphere
1.5 The early Earth and the start of life

Section 2. Dynamic Earth

2.1 Dating rocks and other materials
2.2 Plate movements
2.3 Magnetism and the wandering poles
2.4 Tectonic forces

Section 3. The local environment

3.1 The local environment as a system
3.2 The elements of lithosphere and landscape
3.3 Soils - features and formations
3.4 Adaptations and survival in disturbed habitats
3.5 Human impacts on the environment
3.6 Balancing development and conservation
3.7 Biodiversity

Section 4. Water issues

4.1 Water movements on the Earth
4.2 Water and Australian environments
4.3 Water and weathering
4.4 Water resources - past and present

Section 5. Effective research

Answering and asking questions
Glossary
Index