Autor: John P. Rafferty

Notwithstanding its detractors, evolutionary science has anticipated modern genetic research and continued to illuminate mysteries about our past and our connectedness to the species around us. …

The devastation wrought by earthquakes and volcanoes often obscures the fact that these destructive forces are also some of the most creative on the planet birthing mountains and other land forms. …

Whether ruining a commute or devastating entire countries, inclement weather has the power to capture attention and headlines. This book examines the science that gives us a greater understanding of …

Glaciers and sea ice are vital to sustaining aquatic ecosystems and regulating ocean water temperature. Permafrost, a type of ground ice, dramatically affects the infrastructure and agricultural …

Dinosaurs have captured the imaginations of children and adults alike since the first fossil discoveries mapped them onto our general body of knowledge. This book journeys to an era long before …

Its constant evolution over the millennia since its inception has made the Earth a dynamic entity, subject to numerous climactic and environmental forces that are forever changing this planet. In its …

Though it encompasses the majority of the Earth’s history, much about Precambrian time still remains unknown to us. With its climate extremes and unstable surfaces, Precambrian Earth hardly resembled …

Characterized by a surge in biodiversity and evolutionary development, the Paleozoic Era ushered in the beginnings of life as we know it. Within these pages, readers will discover the fossil and …

Earth’s biosphere supports several unique biomes and ecosystems. Though they operate as self-contained units, these regions also operate as part of a global network, nurturing interdependence among …

Sharp-toothed and quick-footed, carnivorous mammals are primed for the hunt. Far from ruthless, however, carnivores-hunters by nature and necessity-are integral to maintaining ecological balance. …

As a fixture in recent headlines, the Earth’s climate has commanded much attention. While environmental and atmospheric conditions in large part determine the climate of a region, the impact of human …

The Earth’s capacity to sustain life increasingly depends on the actions of humans and our commitment to preserving the planet’s incredible biodiversity. Because its ecosystems are vulnerable to …

Characterized by uncompromising climate, sparse population density, and extreme aridity, deserts, steppes, and scrublands represent some of the least accessible regions on the planet. However, …

Between their verdant canopies and shaded floors, forests contain a multi-tiered ecosystem that supports an abundance of flora and fauna. Together with the grasses and vegetation in the grasslands to …

Lakes and wetlands are significant ecosystems that nourish, sustain, and house many of the planet’s plant and animal species. Though both of these regions are defined by water-both fresh and …

Primeval jungles, mountain ranges, and the cover of deep forests are not the only domains of meat-eating creatures. Carnivores also can be found stalking prey from the air, in ocean depths, and …

Constituting more than 70 percent of Earth’s surface, the world’s oceans are so vast as to remain something of an enigma to this day. Navigating these imposing seas and unlocking their secrets is the …

From lemurs to apes to human beings, primates are unique among mammals-for example, our brains are large compared to our size. Our complex interactions, intricate social structures, and extensive …

While we may often find them nestled in the corners of our attics or traversing our yards, rodents and bats are more frequently found in nature and originate in a large variety of shapes and sizes. …

More than 15, 000 species of reptiles and amphibians roam planet Earth today. Believed to be descendents of the dinosaurs, reptiles are scaly and cold-blooded. Amphibians lead something of a …

Winding their way through the planet’s landscapes and supplying some of its most prosperous cities with fresh water, food, and transportation conduits, rivers and streams have critical ecological and …

While they come in all shapes, textures, and sizes, animals that subsist on the Earth’s natural vegetation share many common elements as well. Occupying a unique place in the food chain, grazers all …

The planet’s natural dips and elevations, slopes and structures, stud the world’s landscapes and enrich its panoramas. However, the Earth’s landforms should not be viewed as anomalies in its …

Often concealing millennia worth of Earth’s history, rocks seem to project an impression of durability and permanence that belies their transformation over time. Seen in all shapes and sizes and …

Described as craggy, rocky, or glacial, among a host of other descriptors, the Earth’s geosphere-that is, its solid foundation-is subject to incredible variation. It is these permutations that inform …

Anyone who has marveled at the glimmer of a perfectly cut diamond, tended a garden, or consumed a nutritious meal has appreciated some of the many roles that minerals play in our lives. Present in …