Synthesizes current knowledge of regional-global linkages in four regions to demonstrate that study of environmental change on a regional scale can enhance understanding of global-scale environmental changes.
Regional Studies and Global Change.- Regional-Global Change Linkages: Southern Africa.- Global Change and Biogeochemical Cycles: the South Asia Region.- Regional-Global Interactions in East Asia.- Global Change and Development: A Synthesis for Southeast Asia.- Summary and Conclusion.
From the reviews: "Global environmental changes have different effects in different regions of the world. That is why it is important to understand linkages between regions and the global system. This book contributes to this understanding in an outstanding way. ! the book most convincingly shows that an integrated approach to studying regional environmental change in its own right is a powerful tool for enhancing understanding of the Earth System at a global scale. ! it is most accessibly written and well illustrated ! ." (Luc Hens, International Journal of Environment and Pollution, Vol. 21 (5), 2004) "The System for Analysis, Research and Training (START) was established ! to build global change research capacity in developing regions. ! The book reveals the extent to which the START program has succeeded to date, by presenting up-to-date reviews of global change science ! . This book is a significant resource for anyone interested in global change and its impacts in the developing regions of the world ! . I recommend it as a reference text ! . Every academic library should have a copy." (Janette Lindesay, Australian Meteorological Magazine, Vol. 52 (4), 2003) "Environmental change cannot be summed up in terms of one single, undisputable alteration in the Earth's system. ! The effort made by Global-regional linkages in the Earth system to holistically examine linkages between regions and the global system is an important step in this regard. ! The book is richly illustrated with figures and tables of high quality ! . The text reviews a wealth of detailed scientific evidence ! . Undoubtedly, this book will be a useful source of information for many ! ." (Siri Eriksen, The Holocene, Vol. 13 (6), 2003) "Publication of this book has been under the auspices of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) which is an international effort to understand more deeply global change. One focus of IGBP activities is the System for Analysis, Research and Training (START) ! . The book, written by developing country scientists involved in START, is professionally made and should be consulted by those who want to get a fast overview over the environmental topics that are central for the respective region of the world." (M. Hantel, Meteorologische Zeitschrift, Vol. 12 (1), 2003)