Measuring the Natural Environment

Description

Measurements of natural phenomena are vital for any type of environmental monitoring, from the practical day-to-day management of rivers and agriculture, and weather forecasting, through to longer-term assessment of climate change and glacial retreat. This book looks at past, present and future measurement techniques, describing the operation of the instruments used and the quality and accuracy of the data they produce. The book will be important for all those who use or collect such data, whether for pure research or day-to-day management of the environment. It will be useful for students and professionals working in a wide range of environmental science: meteorology, climatology, hydrology, water resources, oceanography, civil engineering, agriculture, forestry, glaciology, ecology. The first edition received excellent reviews and this new edition has been brought completely up-to-date and expanded considerably, through the addition of six new chapters and the extension and modification of many of the existing chapters.

Ian Strangeways is Director of TerraData, a consultancy in meteorological and hydrological instrumentation and data collection. From 1964 to 1989 he was Head of the Instrument and Applied Physics sections at the Institute of Hydrology (Natural Environment Research Council).

'The author's intent is to provide a complete view of the practical side of collecting environmental data, so that anyone using these data will have a good understanding of their inherent limitations and errors. He has succeeded and has produced a book that should be valuable for many present and future environmental scientists ... this is an excellent handbook on environmental data acquisition. I recommend it to anyone who has a role in environmental science.' The Leading Edge 'Most meteorologists could benefit from this book ... It is well written and although aimed at a professional readership it is easy to read. I would recommend it to anyone interested in environmental sciences who needs an overview of environmental instrumentation.' Weather 'The book will be of use to lecturers and supervisors in academe who need to give students a rapid learning curve prior to field experiments and projects. Its style is appealing to those with little prior knowledge.' International Journal of Climatology '... a useful basic primer for beginners in the field of environmental monitoring, such as a postgraduate student embarking on a research plan.' Progress in Environmental Science 'The book is highly recommendable ... very well written, concise and clear.' Environmental Geology 'This book offers a modern and complex approach to the measuring of the natural environment.' Ognjen Bonacci, Hydrological Sciences Journal 'It gives a good overview over the large variety of techniques without demanding mathematical skills. ... digestible for a large audience. ... the book can be recommended to people in the field of weather observation and hydrology.' Meteorologische Zeitschrift 'This ... book ... provides easily-accessible information about the collection of environmental data. All aspects of the measurement process are considered ... The author has done an excellent job of setting the scene and providing sufficient information for the ... readers. The text is well-written and easy to follow, even for non-specialists. ... I recommend this book to anybody involved in the collection or use of environmental data ...' Weather