This introductory text details the land surface of the earth in a readable style covering the major issues, key themes and sensitivities of the environments/landscape. Emphasizing the major ideas and their development, each chapter includes case studies and details of influential scientists (not necessarily geomorphologists) who have contributed to the progress of understanding. Providing a very clear explanation of the understanding achieved and of the debates that have arisen, the book is comprised of 12 chapters in four sections:
- Visualizing the land surface explains and explores the composition of the land surface and outlines how it has been studied
- Dynamics of the land surface considers the dynamics affecting the earth's land surface including its influences, processes and the changes that have occurred
- Environments of the land surface looks to understand the land surface in major world regions highlighting differences between the areas
- Management of the land surface is an examination of the current and future prospects of the management of the earth's land surface