This book shows how basic physical principles can be applied to describe interactions between living organisms and their microenvironment. Emphasis is placed on teaching the student how to calculate actual heat and mass transfer rates, rather than just studying the concepts involved. Numerous examples are provided to illustrate many of the principles, and problems are included at the end of each chapter to help the student develop skills in using the equations and to gain an understanding of modern environmental biophysics. The book is an engineering approach to environmental biology.

Klappentext

From reviews of the first edition: "well organized . . . Recommended as an introductory text for undergraduates" -- AAAS Science Books and Films "well written and illustrated" -- Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

Zusammenfassung
Suitable for undergraduates, this title is well written and illustrated.

Inhalt
1 Introduction.- 2 Temperature.- 3 Water Vapor and Other Gases.- 4 Liquid Water in Organisms and their Environment.- 5 Wind.- 6 Heat and Mass Transport.- 7 Conductances for Heat and Mass Transfer.- 8 Heat Flow in the Soil.- 9 Water Flow in Soil.- 10 Radiation Basics.- 11 Radiation Fluxes in Natural Environments.- 12 Animals and their Environment.- 13 Humans and their Environment.- 14 Plants and Plant Communities.- 15 The Light Environment of Plant Canopies.