Handbook of Nature

Frank R. Spellman is author of more than seventy published texts covering many areas of environmental science. He is also a consultant to the U.S. Department of Justice on environmental health issues related to the U.S. military services. He has a BS in management and MBA, MS, and PhD in environmental engineering.Joni Price-Bayer is a speech language pathologist with Norfolk Public Schools. She has degrees in both English and education and is a professional member of the American Speech-Language Health Association. She coauthored In Defense of Science with Frank R. Spellman.

• PrefacePart I What is Nature?Chapter 1 IntroductionPart II Earth’s StructureChapter 2 Composition of EarthChapter 3 Reshaping EarthPart III The Atmosphere: Earth’s BreathChapter 4 The AtmosphereChapter 5 Atmospheric Water PhenomenaChapter 6 Atmosphere in MotionChapter 7 Weather and ClimatePart IV Water: Earth’s BloodChapter 8 Earth’s WaterChapter 9 All About WaterChapter 10 Earth’s Oceans and Their MarginsChapter 11 Running WatersChapter 12 Still WatersPart V Earth’s Life FormsChapter 13 BiosphereChapter 14 EcosystemsChapter 15 The Fundamental Unit of LifeChapter 16 Biological DiversityChapter 17 Animal GroupsPart VI WildernessChapter 18 Land OrganismGlossary

Intended for students and non-scientist general readers, this handbook constitutes a multilayered, conversational presentation of information about nature and how nature is studied. The first chapter asks "What is nature?" and includes a narrative about hiking and observing as well as discussion of US Forest Service Management of fire, and some of the processes of nature. Subsequent chapters focus on the earth's structure, the atmosphere, water, life forms (the biosphere, ecosystems, and animal groups), and wilderness. The substantial number of references and the glossary make this volume a good starting point for student research.