Book Summary of Atlas of Satellite Observations Related to Global Change by RJ Gurney, JL Foster, CL Parkinson
Citation:
Atlas of Satellite Observations Related to Global Change, RJ Gurney, JL Foster, CL Parkinson, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993), 470pp.
This Book Summary written by: Conflict Research Consortium Staff
The Atlas of Satellite Observations Related to Global Change is
divided into eight major parts. Part I is of interest to those who are
concerned with fluctuations in the earth's energy budget as a result of
changes in the earth's atmosphere. The authors discuss solar irradiance
and the radiation budget at the top of the atmosphere. Part II
focuses on the stratosphere. Specifically the chemistry, temperature,
ozone depletion, aerosols and temperature trends of the
stratosphere are discussed. This section is of interest to those
concerned with the increasing ozone depletion and its possible causes.
Part III is concerned with the troposphere. Tropospheric chemistry
as well as water vapour and temperature; clouds and global observations of
lightning are depicted in satellite images. Further, tropical and
subtropical precipitation and surface wind velocity over
the oceans are examined. This section will be of special interest to those
interested in changing global weather patterns.
Part IV and V focuses closely on the oceans. Part IV presents images of
ocean surface topography and circulation; sea surface
temperature, oceanic biological productivity and ocean
evaporation. Part V examines the ocean/atmosphere coupling with examination of
El Nino's southern oscillation. These two sections will be of interest
to those whose primary area of concern is the world's oceans.
Part VI is devoted to land masses. Satellite images show; topography,
global vegetation patterns, desertification, coastal changes and
volcanic activity. Part VII is focused on the cryosphere and
thus presents images of global snow cover, sea ice, ice
sheets and glaciers. Both section VI and VII are of interest to
those concerned with land based changes. The concluding Part VIII is focused
upon human-induced changes. Both the indications and effects of human
activities are represented in satellite images.
While the science of satellite imaging requires a certain level of expertise
to be understood, the images produced thereby are readily accessible with brief
explanations of the particular technique used in obtaining the image. The Atlas
of Satellite Observations Related to Global Change gives both the more
technical information desired by professionals engaged in global change research
as well as the brief explanations needed for the informed person to be able to
utilize the satellite images to further her understanding of
global change.
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