Synopses & Reviews
The Arctic islands are characterized by beautiful mountains and glaciers, in which the wildlife lives in delicate balance with its environment. It is a fragile region with a long history of exploration and exploitation that is now experiencing rapid environmental change. All of these themes are explored in Islands of the Arctic, a richly illustrated volume with superb photographs from the Canadian Arctic archipelago, Greenland, Svalbard and the Russian Arctic. It begins with the various processes shaping the landscape: glaciers, rivers and coastal processes, the role of ice in the oceans and the weather and climate. Julian Dowdeswell and Michael Hambrey describe the flora and fauna in addition to the human influences on the environment, from the sustainable approach of the Inuit, to the devastating damage inflicted by hunters and issues arising from the presence of military security installations. Finally, they consider the future prospects of the Arctic islands Julian Dowdeswell is Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute and Professor of Physical Geography at 0he University of Cambridge. He received the Polar Medal from Queen Elizabeth for his contributions to the study of glacier geophysics and the Gill Memorial Award from the Royal Geographical Society. He is chair of the Publications Committee of the International Glaciological Society and head of the Glaciers and Ice Sheets Division of the International Commission for Snow and Ice. Michael Hambrey is Director of the Centre for Glaciology at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. A past recipient of the Polar Medal, he was also given the Earth Science Editors' Outstanding Publication Award for Glaciers (Cambridge University Press). Hambrey is also the author of Glacial Environments (British Columbia, 1994).
Review
"Islands of the Arctic is a beautifully illustrated and nicely written account of the varied island environments of the polar north...Islands of the Arctic should be part of the required reading for all those interested in understanding the environmental and cultural threats facing the Arctic." The Times Higher Education Supplement"A visually stunning exploration of the Arctic islands..." Paper Clips"This is indeed a beautiful book, and worth buying for the illustrations alone...It is also informative, spanning a broad range of topics to give a comprehensive view of the environment and history of these fascinating islands." Bulletin of the American Meterological Society"... a must for any explorer interested in the Arctic." The Explorers Journal"Dowdeswell and Hambrey have a way of describing the fascinating array of Arctic landforms and coastal phenomena in just enough scientific detail to create a stimulating text that flows smoothly around the photographs...the superb text will interest readers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences." Science Books &Films"Highly recommended." Choice
Synopsis
Spectacular exploration of one of Earth's last wilderness areas, looking at the evolution of the landscape, and the delicate balance between wildlife and the environment. It discusses the history of human impact on the Arctic, and considers future prospects for the region. Superbly illustrated for all lovers of remote landscapes.
About the Author
Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute and Professor of Physical Geography at the University of CambridgeDirector of the Centre for Glaciology and Professor of Glaciology at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Table of Contents
Introduction: the geography of the Arctic Islands -- Evolution of the Arctic islands -- Weather, climate and atmospheric effects -- Glaciers and ice sheets -- Icebergs and sea ice -- Frost action -- Arctic coasts, rivers and lakes -- Animals and plants -- Indigenous peoples, exploration and environmental islands -- Postscript: the future of the Arctic islands.