Explores the Human-Physical Interface
Living Physical Geography highlights the role of people as they change and are changed by Earth’s physical systems. Students learn how human activity influences Earth’s physical systems, ranging from local stream erosion to global climate change. Students also learn how scientists investigate geographical phenomena (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather, and stream flooding) to mitigate their human cost and reduce human vulnerability to these events.

• The Human Sphere begins each chapter by exploring a geographical issue or human-physical interaction relevant to the chapter.
• Geographic Perspectives sections conclude each chapter by exploring contemporary issues in physical geography in depth. This feature encourages students to make connections among topics within and across chapters and facilitates discussion of the most important and pressing issues in physical geography today.

Emphasizes the Process of Science, the Scientific Method, and the Importance of Critical Thinking
Living Physical Geography grounds students in the process of science and the scientific method, helping students understand how we know what we know about physical geography. It addresses students as citizens, encouraging them to develop their own independent and informed ideas about geographic issues based on observation and scientific evidence.

• Scientific Inquiry figures illustrate how scientists do what they do, how they know what
  they know, and how they collect and interpret scientific data in the field. Topics range from how a stream gauge works to how scientists study ancient climates.
• Picture This features combine photos and a brief narrative to highlight a fascinating example of the topic at hand. Each includes Consider This critical-thinking questions that students answer by interpreting the narrative and analyzing the photos.

Student Friendly Approach

• Learning Goals list the key takeaway concepts at the outset of each chapter and provide the framework for the chapter’s text, media content (including ArcGIS Web and Story Maps, animations, and videos) and online assessments in SaplingPlus.
• In-Text Figures combine art, photos, and step-by-step captions to walk students through illustrated summaries of important topics.