In this book, readers will learn about the importance of the Earth's natural sources of water, as well as their similarities and differences. Emphasis is also placed on the relationship between humans and these various water sources.

This classroom resource provides clear, concise scientific information in an understandable and enjoyable way about water and aquatic life. Spanning the hydrologic cycle from rain to watersheds, aquifers to springs, rivers to estuaries, ample illustrations promote understanding of important concepts and clarify major ideas. Aquatic science is covered comprehensively, with relevant principles of chemistry, physics, geology, geography, ecology, and biology included throughout the text. Emphasizing water sustainability and conservation, the book tells us what we can do personally to conserve for the future and presents job and volunteer opportunities in the hope that some students will pursue careers in aquatic science. Texas Aquatic Science, originally developed as part of a multi-faceted education project for middle and high school students, can also be used at the college level for non-science majors, in the home-school environment, and by anyone who educates kids about nature and water. To learn more about The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, sponsors of this book's series, please click here.

Discusses the importance of water to planet Earth, including what animals live in water and where the most beautiful bodies of water are.

Water covers some 75% of the earth’s surface, while land covers 25%, approximately. Yet the former accounts for less than 1% of world GDP, the latter 99% plus. Part of the reason for this imbalance is that there are more people located on land than water. But a more important explanation is that while land is privately owned, water is unowned (with the exception of a few small lakes and ponds), or governmentally owned (rivers, large lakes). This gives rise to the tragedy of the commons: when something is unowned, people have less of an incentive to care for it, preserve it, and protect it, than when they own it. As a result we have oil spills, depletion of fish stocks, threatened extinction of some species (e.g. whales), shark attacks, polluted and dried-up rivers, misallocated water, unsafe boating, piracy, and other indices of economic disarray which, if they had occurred on the land, would have been more easily identified as the result of the tragedy of the commons and/or government ownership and mismanagement. The purpose of this book is to make the case for privatization of all bodies of water, without exception. In the tragic example of the Soviet Union, the 97% of the land owned by the state accounted for 75% of the crops. On the 3% of the land privately owned, 25% of the crops were grown. The obvious mandate requires that we privatize the land, and prosper. The present volume applies this lesson, in detail, to bodies of water.

Journey high above the world's most unforgettable waterscapes via this stunning collection of aerial photographs by David Ondaatje. Water Views is a breathtaking overview (literally) of the most striking bodies of water from around the world. Photographed with state-of-the-art drone technology by author and filmmaker David Ondaatje, these stunning aerial images range from the picturesque beaches of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Gaviota Beach to the wild coasts of Oregon, placid lakes from Tahoe to Como, the emerald waters of the Bahamas and Belize, and the meandering fishing rivers of British Columbia and Montana. Ever-present in this selection, some of which debuted in his recent exhibition at the acclaimed ROSEGALLERY in Los Angeles, is Ondaatje’s deep personal affection for solitude, the unspoiled beauty of nature, coastal water patterns, and fly-fishing in remote areas. Annotated with behind-the-scenes anecdotes, these photographs take you on a spectacular journey from above as you share Ondaatje’s unique first look at some of the most beautiful places in his world, all tied to the compelling and blissful power of water.

Provides simple information about the Earth's rivers, lakes, and oceans, including the water cycle, climate, and pollution.

What happens to trash if it is thrown into a river? Where does garbage in a lake come from, and how can it harm animals that live there? Poisoned Rivers and Lakes introduces young readers to the issues of river and lake pollution due to the dumping of garbage, chemicals, and other things into our planet’s waterways. It also gives students plenty of ideas for ways that they can be part of the campaign to help keep our rivers and lakes clean and safe for the future. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of an early-elementary audience, this colorful, fact-filled volume includes grade-appropriate activities and experiments, critical-thinking questions, and fascinating fact boxes to keep the pace lively and interactive.

Large bodies of water are all around us: rivers flow through our towns and cities, inland lakes collect pools of fresh water, and the salty ocean covers nearly two-thirds of the Earth's surface. In this volume, readers will learn about the importance of these three natural sources of water, as well as their similarities and differences. Emphasis is also placed on the relationship between humans and these various water sources, both in terms of constructive use of these precious resources and the risks inherent in pollution. Readers will walk away with a better comprehension of the science behind bodies of water and the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

Learn about Earth's different types of landforms and bodies of water.

Aldo Leopold, father of the "land ethic," once said, "The time has come for science to busy itself with the earth itself. The first step is to reconstruct a sample of what we had to begin with." The concept he expressedâ€"restorationâ€"is defined in this comprehensive new volume that examines the prospects for repairing the damage society has done to the nation's aquatic resources: lakes, rivers and streams, and wetlands. Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems outlines a national strategy for aquatic restoration, with practical recommendations, and features case studies of aquatic restoration activities around the country. The committee examines: Key concepts and techniques used in restoration. Common factors in successful restoration efforts. Threats to the health of the nation's aquatic ecosystems. Approaches to evaluation before, during, and after a restoration project. The emerging specialties of restoration and landscape ecology.