Drylands : environmental management and development

Description

Drylands, which cover over half the world's area, have witnessed rapid development, exploitation and change with the discovery of mineral reserves, urbanization and population growth. Environmental management is critical to the conservation and sustainable use of resources. This comprehensive text offers a systematic study of the physical nature of drylands and the history of human response to and uses of these harsh landscapes. Detailed case studies, including urban as well as pastoral drylands from California to Soviet Central Asia, the Middle East, the Sahara and Australia, contrast dif.  Read more... Abstract: Describes the drylands of the world and their management; the way human societies have evolved in response to the physical landscape and by classifying the different human uses of drylands; and case studies illustrating the kinds of management adopted for different purposes throughout the world.  Read more... Content: Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of figures List of tables List of plates Preface Part One: Systematic Study of Drylands 1. Nature of the Dryland Environment 1.1 Definitions of Drylands 1.2 Climatic Characteristics 1.2.1 Precipitation 1.2.2 Temperature 1.2.3 Relative humidity 1.2.4 Wind 1.3 Evapotranspiration and Water Balance 1.4 River Runoff 1.5 Groundwater 1.6 The Nature of Arid Landforms 1.7 Arid Zone Soils 1.8 Vegetation 1.9 Fauna 1.10 Dryland Ecosystems 1.11 Climatic Change 2. Human Use of Drylands. 2.1 Traditional Societies2.1.1 Introduction 2.1.2 Evolution of traditional societies 2.1.3 Later developments 2.1.4 Traditional societies at the present day 2.1.5 Aborigines 2.2 Modern Societies 2.2.1 Introduction 2.2.2 Development planning 2.2.3 Population growth 2.2.4 Agriculture and land reform 2.2.5 The future 3. Intensive Use of the Dryland Environment 3.1 Urbanisation 3.1.1 Introduction 3.1.2 Growth rates of cities 3.1.3 Urban management problems 3.1.4 Geomorphological hazards 3.1.5 Constructional limitations 3.1.6 Tucson -- water for a desert oasis 3.2 Irrigation. 3.2.1 Introduction3.2.2 Irrigation water sources 3.2.3 Irrigation systems 3.2.4 Irrigation water quality 3.2.5 Distribution of irrigated agriculture 3.2.6 Irrigation development in the USA 3.2.6.1 The early years 3.2.6.2 The Bureau of Reclamation 3.2.6.3 Irrigation in the USA today 3.2.7 Conclusion 3.3 Mineral exploitation 3.3.1 Introduction 3.3.2 Mining activity and environmental problems 3.3.3 Patterns of mineral exploitation 3.3.4 Case study -- mining in Western Australia 3.3.5 Conclusion 4. Extensive Use of the Dryland Environment 4.1 Rain-fed Agriculture. 4.1.1 Introduction4.1.2 Case study -- northern Jordan 4.1.3 Case study -- Australian wheat production 4.2 Pastoral systems 4.2.1 Introduction 4.2.2 Traditional pastoralism 4.2.3 Commercial pastoralism 4.2.4 Case study -- South Africa 4.2.5 Conclusion Part Two: Regional Resource Management -- Case Studies 5. The Sahara and Central Australia: Pastoralism Under Different Management Systems 5.1 The Sahara 5.1.1 Introduction 5.1.2 The environment 5.1.3 Traditional land use 5.1.4 Case study -- Niger 5.1.4.1 Introduction 5.1.4.2 Land use evolution. 5.1.4.3 The environment and its resources5.1.4.4 Modernisation of land use 5.1.4.5 The Sahel drought, 1968-73, and its aftermath 5.1.5 Conclusion 5.2 Central Australia 5.2.1 Historical development 5.2.2 Pastoral practices 5.2.3 Case Study -- Gascoyne basin 5.2.3.1 The environment 5.2.3.2 Pastoral development 5.2.4 Case Study -- Alice Springs 5.2.4.1 Historical development 5.2.4.2 The current situation 5.2.5 Conclusion 6. River Basin Development: the Nile and the Colorado 6.1 The Nile Basin 6.1.1 Introduction 6.1.2 The basin 6.1.3 Hydrology 6.1.4 Basin irrigation.