The new edition of this classic student text provides an up-to-date and comprehensive view of the major environmental issues facing the world today, and is an essential introduction to the past, present and future impact of humans on Earth. Following the successful structure of previous editions, the new edition of The Human Impact has been extensively enlarged and updated, with many new figures and up-to-date statistics. Four completely new chapters explore the ways in which global climate change may have an impact on Earth in the future. Other chapters explore the impact of humans upon vegetation, animals, soils, water, landforms, and the atmosphere. A new design makes the text even more accessible and easy to use. This important book is essential reading for undergraduates in geography or environmental science, and anyone requiring a thorough overview of the impact of humans upon natural processes and systems.€

Índice: Preface; Part One - the Past and Present; 1 Introduction; 2 The human impact on vegetation; 3 Human influence on animals; 4 The human impact on the soil; 5 The human impact on the waters; 6 Human agency in geomorphology; 7 The human impact on climate and the atmosphere; Part Two - the Future; 8 Introduction; 9 Coastal environments; 10 Hydrological impacts; 11 The cryosphere; 12 Drylands; 13 Conclusion; Glossary; References; Index.