Page 215 - Geosystems An Introduction to Physical Geography 4th Canadian Edition

Biosphere
Chapter 9 describes the distribution of water on earth, including water circulation in the hydrologic cycle; these water resources are an output of the water–weather system. We examine the water-budget concept, which is useful in understanding soil-moisture and water-resource relationships on global, regional, and local scales. potable (drinking) water is emerg- ing as the critical global political issue this century. In Chapter 10, we see the spatial implications over time of the energy–atmosphere and water– weather systems and the output of earth’s climatic patterns. these obser- vations interconnect all the system elements from Chapters 2 through 9. part II closes with a discussion of global climate change science, a look at present conditions, and a forecast of future climate trends.
179
o
m
t
s
p
h
A
r
e
e
L
r
i
e
t
h
h
o
p
s
s
e
h
o
p
r
d
y
H
e
r
e