Interest in physical geography has increased as the discipline has diversified, with greater consideration given to its approach, and its philosophy; at the same time there have been benefits from advances in technology. The subject has seen many changes since the impact of quantification and systems, with emphases upon environmental processes, landscape evolution and chronology, and the significance of human activity, as well as upon applications of physical geography. 'The Changing Nature of Physical geography' presents a review of progress in this discipline: providing an understanding of how it has evolved; introducing its research and technical literature; and outlining the contributions of the physical geographers who have shaped the study of physical geography. The book is arranged in three broadly chronological sections. The first section, covering 1850-1980, surveys the development of physical geography from its foundation to formative recent developments. Section two looks at current approaches to the discipline, and the final section considers trends into the next Millennium by drawing attention to new approaches at a global and a cultural level. The conclusion offers a perspective on future physical geography as a context for its further development. As a comprehensive and fluent introduction to the nature of this multifarious discipline, with its increasing focus upon environmental change and environmental management, it is a must for all students of physical geography.

Part 1 Development ofPhysical geography Establishing the foundation 1850-1950 Developments 1950-1980 Part 2 Current approaches in physical geography The environmentalsystem Environmental processes Environmental change Human activity: an increasingly dominant theme Applications of physical geography and environmental management Part 3 trends for the millenium Global physical geography Cultural physical geography Conclusion Future physical geography References.