The aim of this book is to supply appropriate and real applications to the basic content of courses in climatology. There are chapters therefore on energy and temperature, applied aspects of hydro-climatology, and air motion and circulation. In dealing with these process orientated topics, the applications presented cover modern concerns including the practical use of solar energy, the impact of climatic changes on crops, and satellite observations.
Professor Oliver also considers regional-dynamic climatologies and the impact of climate on people. He finally turns to the subject of climatic change and the suggested applications are designed to encourage further study.
Other features include summary and observation sections presenting ideas that can be developed in to useful research; sections in each chapter on data analysis in which simple statistical methods arc outlined and applied to data relevant to that chapter; and appendices giving conversion factors and tables and historic data for selected stations.
In all, Climatology: Selected Applications presents a broad collection of ideas and topics that can be readily related to course work. Beyond that, Professor Oliver's intention is that his book should generate individual studies in climatology.
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1 Realms of Climatology
Chapter 2 Direct Use of Solar Energy:
A Climatological Perspective
Chapter 3 The Thermal Environment: Temperatures and Crops
Chapter 4 Climatology and the Hydrologic Cycle:
The Impacts of Snowfall
Chapter 5 Climatic Aspects of the Hydrologic Cycle: Use of Satellite Data
Chapter 6 Air in Motion: The Use and Effects of the Wind
Chapter 7 Atmospheric Circulation and Climatic Variability
Chapter 8 Violent Storms: Perceptions and Adjustments
Chapter 9 Deserts and Desertification
Chapter 10 Climate and People: The Nature of Climatic Stress
Chapter 11 Climates of the Past
Chapter 12 Climates of the Future
Appendix 1 A Basic Bibliography of Climatology
Appendix 2 Conversion Factors and Tables
Appendix 3 Historic Data for Selected Stations
Index |