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It is fair to say that our planet's most precious resource is land. Land is the source of the vast majority of our food and fresh water, nearly all of our fiber and raw materials, and many other important goods and services. It is also our home. But our relationship to the land has been dramatically changing over the history of our species, mainly through the invention and evolution of agriculture. Today, with the emergence of modern agricultural practices, coupled with the population growth and technological developments of recent centuries, we have transformed a staggering amount of the Earth's surface into highly managed landscapes. Even more startling: the widespread use of irrigation and chemical fertilizers has fundamentally altered the flows of water and nutrients across large regions of the globe. These modifications to the land have driven fundamental changes to the ecology of our planet. Even the effects of future climate change may not have such a major, transformative effect on the environment and on human society as agriculture. However, despite the importance of agriculture in the global environment, we still know relatively little about how it affects ecological systems across local, regional, and global scales. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A chapter of the book "Stars," by Lynn M. Stone is presented. It states that the closest star on earth is the sun, which is 93 million miles from the planet. It indicates that the sun and the stars are shining all day and night. It emphasizes that the other stars are too dim to be seen due to the glare of the sunlight.

The article offers information about outer space. It states that scientists used to divide Earth's atmosphere from space which they call the Karman Line and is about 62 miles or 100 kilometers above sea level. That distance is similar to the distance across the Lake Erie, the fourth largest of the Great Lakes, that is 57 miles. In addition, the higher the atmosphere has lesser air, while outer space definitely has no air for man to breath.

The article discusses the differences between the Moon and the Earth. It states that the Moon, unlike the Earth, is a planet that does not have air, liquid water, or life of its own. Scientists suggest that the Moon is about 80 times smaller than the Earth. The surface of the Moon is covered mainly by mountains, valleys, and craters.

The article provides information on heat and light of the sun which are the building blocks for life on Earth. It states that the sun gives off large amount of heat and light which are essential components for the existence of every life forms on earth. It explains that the sun's rays that collide with the atmosphere allows one to see the beautiful colors in the sky while the energy it produces is utilized by plants by the process called photosynthesis.

The article reports on the movements of the planet earth in the solar system. It is noted that it takes 365 days for the earth to orbit around the sun. The equator, which is an imaginary line around the earth's middle, measures 24,902 miles making the earth as the largest of the four inner planets. Furthermore, the earth also spins and orbits around the sun which cause daylight and darkness.

The article offers information on the moon of the planet Earth. It is noted that Earth has only one moon which is about 240,000 miles or 384,000 kilometers away from the Earth. It also notes that the Earth's gravity holds the moon as it rotates in its orbit. In addition, the gravity of the moon is not as strong as the gravity of Earth but it is responsible for controlling the ocean's tides.

The article offers information on the existence of life on the planet Earth . It is mentioned that Earth is the only planet that supports life. It is also noted that some places on Earth can be extremely hot or cold in which most life exists in places where temperatures are not two extreme. In addition, the earth has an abundant supply of air and water which essential for the existence of life.

The article offers information on the planet Earth. It is noted that the earth is the third closest planet to the Sun, the center of the solar system. It is also mentioned that it is believed to be about 4.5 billion years old and is younger than other objects in space. In addition, the Earth is shaped like a ball and it orbits around the Sun in an almost perfect circular path.

The article discusses several topics related to biology. The topics presented include the unknown depths of the Earth, the existence of microorganisms under glaciers, and protecting coral reefs. The fact presented include microorganisms discovered as the first living things that were fossilized, the ability of the African pangolin to disguise as a pinecone, and the relation between cashew nuts and poison ivy.

Chapter 1 of the book "Rural Teens & Nature: Conservation & Wildlife Rehabilitation" is presented. It explores life on Earth. Planet Earth is a miraculous place, filled with the abundance of life. The natural conditions and environment where a plant or animal lives is called the habitat. A localized group of these living things and the environment they depend on is called an ecosystem. Biodiversity is crucial for sustaining present life because almost all species are dependent on other species to live.

Chapter one of the book "Sorting the Elements: The Periodic Table at Work" is presented. It explores the elements around us such as iron, copper and aluminum and the non-elements such as plastics. It highlights the atom as a way to distinguish elements and non-elements, the atomic structure of ninety-two elements found on Earth and the one or two letters as symbols of elements.

Chapter 3 of the book "Evolutionary Ontology: Reclaiming the Value of Nature by Transforming Culture," is presented. It discusses the definitions, problems, theories and concepts of natural evolution within the terrestrial nature of the Earth. It explains the philosophical and scientific approaches of evolution in relation to ontology. The role of humankind in the world, the uniqueness of the Earth, the understanding of humanity in the natural evolution of the universe are also discussed.

A part of the Section 5 of the book "Readings in Science Methods, K-8," edited by Eric Brunsell is presented. It discusses the significance of building a new model for the solar system by taking the advantage of the special features of Google Earth. It explores the difference between the traditional model and Google Earth in understanding the place of the Earth in the solar system.

Chapter four of the book "Weather: Earth Science," by Susan Koehler is presented. It explores the importance of weather condition because it is used by scientists to determine the climate of an area. The sun and the Earth's relationship with it are some of the factors that causes seasonal change. It cites that the positioning of the sun determines the temperature on the North Pole and the South Pole.

Fuel oxygenates such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) today are among the most frequently detected volatile organic compounds in groundwater and, thus, they have become priority groundwater pollutants over the last decade. Thus, their quantitative determination at very low concentrations is routinely required. Methods for this purpose and for compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA), especially of MTBE and its key degradation intermediate tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in ground and surface water are reviewed in this work. For quantitative determination, fuel oxygenates are almost exclusively analyzed by gas chromatography, mainly with mass spectrometric detection due to selectivity and sensitivity requirements. Sample introduction/enrichment based on membrane introduction mass spectrometry, direct aqueous injection, headspace analysis, purge&trap, solid-phase microextraction (direct immersion or headspace) and other microextraction approaches such as solid phase dynamic extraction and liquid-phase microextraction are discussed. Furthermore, the use of ion mobility spectrometry for the determination of fuel oxygenates and related compounds is reviewed. Specific advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are compared and criteria for the choice of an appropriate method are given. The application of CSIA nowadays can be used to determine the isotopic composition of MTBE and related compounds in the low μg L−1 range and thus will become an invaluable tool in the characterization of the environmental fate of such pollutants. Therefore, an overview of analytical aspects of this technique is included here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a physical-chemical-biological database, the behavior of MTBE and CAH (chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons) in the subsoil is described and compared. In contrast to MTBE, CAH can form independent phase bodies that can infiltrate deep into aquifers. Due to its striking higher solubility, MTBE spreads much faster in groundwater. The longest CAH plume recorded in literature so far amounts to 10 000 km. The longest reported MTBE plume reaches 1 900 m. Interpreting the available worldwide data, spreading of MTBE groundwater contaminations leads plume lengths that fall rather into the category of the BTEX as into the class of CAH. A substantial reason for comparison with the lower CAH plume expansions might consist of the fact that MTBE plumes—due to high water solubility and thereby the connected fast development of the MTBE source transfer—progress comparatively fast into the stable and/or regressive status of the plume development. Beyond this, MTBE infiltrates as subordinated portion of gasolines (predominantly 1-3 wt % in regular grade fuel and/or premium fuel), in comparatively low quantities into the subsoil, so that these comparatively low quantities do not possess large source strengths over longer periods. Only spills with very large gasoline quantities may longer MTBE plumes develop under certain conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is part of Subvolume C 'Renewable Energy' of Volume 3 'Energy Technologies' of Landolt-Börnstein Group VIII 'Advanced Materials and Technologies'. It contains: 8 Geothermal energy 8.1 The Earth's thermal regime 8.1.1 The structure of the Earth 8.1.2 Energy budget of the Earth 8.1.2.1 Heat income 8.1.2.1.1 External heat sources 8.1.2.1.1.1 Solar radiation 8.1.2.1.1.2 Gravitational energy 8.1.2.1.2 Internal heat sources 8.1.2.1.2.1 Radiogenic heat 8.1.2.1.2.2 Original heat 8.1.2.1.2.3 Potential energy 8.1.2.1.2.4 Frictional heat 8.1.2.2 Heat expenditure 8.1.2.2.1 Long-wavelength heat radiation 8.1.2.2.2 Volcanism 8.1.2.2.3 Global heat flow 8.1.2.3 Heat budget 8.1.3 The thermal regime of the Earth's crust 8.1.4 Heat storage 8.1.4.1 Measuring techniques 8.1.4.2 Calculated heat capacity 8.1.5 Heat transport 8.1.5.1 Heat conduction 8.1.5.1.1 Measuring techniques 8.1.5.1.2 Indirect methods 8.1.5.1.2.1 Estimation from mineralogical composition and saturating fluids 8.1.5.1.2.2 Correlations with other physical properties 8.1.5.1.3 Thermal conductivity of minerals 8.1.5.2 Thermal conductivity of rocks 8.1.5.2.1 Thermal conductivity of sedimentary, volcanic, plutonic and metamorphic rocks 8.1.5.2.1.1 Influence of porosity and the dominant mineral phase 8.1.5.2.1.2 Influence of ambient temperature 8.1.5.2.2 Influence of various factors on thermal conductivity 8.1.5.2.2.1 Pressure 8.1.5.2.2.2 Porosity and saturating fluid 8.1.5.2.2.3 Partial saturation 8.1.5.2.2.4 Anisotropy 8.1.5.3 Heat advection 8.1.5.4 Heat radiation and thermal conductivity in the Earth's mantle 8.1.6 References for 8.1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A glossary of jargon related to the Earth and Space is presented.

The article presents a lesson plan for primary education which teaches the concept of trade winds and offers information on wind blows in the Earth. It mentions that the lines of latitude moves around the Earth in a lateral direction. It mentions that clockmaker, John Harrison developed marine chronometers that are used for navigation.

The article presents a lesson plan for primary education which teaches concepts about making crude thermometer with water and demonstrates functioning of alcohol and mercury thermometers and also includes information on the Earth's climate with oxygen and water. It mentions that communication among weather stations and satellites offers data for computers to process. It mentions that Galileo Galilei, astronomer invented the device called a thermoscope to measure the changes in gases.

The article presents a lesson plan for primary education which teaches concepts about composition of Earth related to earthquakes using activity and reading. The activity includes simulating earthquakes by making model houses using toothpicks and glue. Earthquakes occur due to grinding of Earth's crust plates causing vibrations.

The article presents a lesson plan for primary education which teaches concepts about composition of Earth related to density using activity and reading. The activity includes making water sandwiches using empty juice bottles, food colour and water to demonstrate floating of low-density materials on high-density ones. The theory part includes understanding density to understand Earth's composition as layers and segments inside Earth have different densities.

The article presents a lesson plan for primary education which teaches concepts about composition of Earth and glaciers using activity and reading. The activity includes building artificial glaciers by freezing sedimentary material mixed with water. The theory part includes study of mountain glaciers which are known as alpine and larger ice sheets known as continental glaciers.

The article presents a lesson plan for primary education which teaches concepts about composition of Earth and its various layers using activity and reading. The activity includes mixing different cake batters and bake loaves to represent Earth with layers. The theory part includes the crust of Earth. The most famous natural chasm is Grand Canyon in Arizona.

The article presents a lesson plan for primary education which teaches concepts about composition of Earth related to formation of metamorphic rocks using activity and reading. The activity includes creating a model of Earth's crust using clay. The theory part includes formation of metamorphic rocks due to heat or pressure. Hot fluids and stress from Earth surface can form metamorphic rocks.

The article presents a lesson plan for primary education which teaches concepts about composition of Earth related to formation of sedimentary rocks using activity and reading. The activity includes examining settling process of samples of materials by mixing them with water. The theory includes classification of rocks as most of the fossils were found in sedimentary rocks.

The article presents a lesson plan for primary education which teaches concepts about composition of Earth related to formation of igneous rocks using activity and reading. The activity includes growing crystals to represent crystallization and formation of igneous rocks using salt, sugar and strings. German scientist Abraham Werner suggested rock formation after floods whereas geologist James Hutton believed that rocks came to the surface and hardened after their formation within Earth.

The article presents a lesson plan for primary education which teaches concepts about history of Earth related to cooling using activity and reading. The activity includes recording and making graphs of temperature of hot water as it cools over time using laboratory thermometers and hot water. English scientist William Thomson who was later known as Lord Kelvin used the cooling rate method to determine age of the Earth.

The article offers information on journey of the spacecraft Cassini-Huygens to Saturn. It states that on August 18, 1999, it paid final brief visit to earth and approached Jupiter on December 30, 2000 and though it stayed around 6 million miles away from cloud tops of Jupiter, the planet changed its direction. It highlights that it traveled for another three and a half years before arriving on Saturn on July 1, 2004.

A chapter from the book "Weather Whys: Questions, Facts, and Riddles About Weather" is presented. It explores seasons or changes in weather. It mentions how the position and rotation of the Earth contribute to different seasons which include summer, winter, spring, and autumn. The top and bottom regions of the Earth are described to have constant cold weather due to lack of sun exposure while regions near the Earth's equator tend to be very warm.

A chapter from the book "Weather Whys: Questions, Facts, and Riddles About Weather" is presented. It explores warm and cold temperatures, explaining how warmth from the sun contributes to heat from the Earth's surface. It mentions tendency for high mountains to have cool temperatures at the top due to presence of clouds that are heavy with water vapor and less heat from the surface of the Earth. A wind chill chart which illustrates how blowing wind can affect actual temperature is presented.

Chapter 2 of the book "The Adlard Coles Book of Electronic Navigation," by Tim Bartlett is presented. It explores the truth and erroneous belief concerning the geometric shape, rotation and position of the Earth. It also highlights the reasons behind the variety of errors related to the measuring performance of electronic navigation systems including misinterpretation of the display, unreachable signals and incorrect information from the satellites.

Chapter 8 of the book "Starry Skies: Questions, Facts, & Riddles About the Universe," by Mike Artell is presented. It explores the asteroids as big rocks or small planets with the largest asteroid named Ceres. Scientists think that most of the asteroids maybe one mile or less in diameter or less than half the size of Pluto, the smallest planet. It also refers to the meteoroids as the small asteroids that are on a collision course with Earth but have not yet entered the Earth's atmosphere.

Chapter 6 of the book "Starry Skies: Questions, Facts, & Riddles About the Universe," by Mike Artell is presented. It defines the planet as a big, round ball of gas or rock that travels around a star and the orbit as the path a planet takes around a star. It cites the Earth as a planet that is almost 8,000 miles across at its equator although some planets are much bigger. It cites Jupiter as the biggest planet in the equator that is more than 88,000 miles across at its equator. INSETS: SIR ISAAC NEWTON;COPERNICUS 1473-1543;FAST FACT;MARINER 10 VISITS MERCURY

Chapter 4 of the book "Starry Skies: Questions, Facts, & Riddles About the Universe," by Mike Artell is presented. It defines galaxies as groups of stars and the Earth's galaxy is called Milky Way because some of the stars are so faint all one see is a milky-looking cloud of light in the distance. Scientists believe that there may be smaller galaxies that come in different shapes and sizes such as the spiral galaxies shaped like a disk.

Chapter 3 of the book "Starry Skies: Questions, Facts, & Riddles About the Universe," by Mike Artell is presented. It defines a star as a large object in space that glows since it so hot. Stars are formed after gases and dust in space get squeezed together by gravity. A new star undergoes a lot of changes which cause it to expand and shrink. The Earth's star is the Sun although there are more stars in the universe that can be counted.

Chapter 1 of the book "Starry Skies: Questions, Facts, & Riddles About the Universe," by Mike Artell is presented. It explores the sky which is just outside the surface of the Earth, with the part closes to Earth called the atmosphere. It also notes that once a person leaves the Earth's atmosphere, he enters part of the sky called space where there are billions of things floating around. INSETS: SATELLITES;SPACE JUNK.

The article presents information on the planet Mars. It is more like Earth by far than any other body in the solar system. It is also the only place in the solar system that is suitable for human exploration and even colonization. Many scientists and engineers who study the challenges involved believe that the major problems of going to Mars are already solved. It is even possible to make fuel on Mars. Rocket fuel is the key to one plan for sending people to Mars. People can be self-sufficient on Mars.

The article presents information related to astrology and gravity. Gravity is a pulling force between the Earth and any object on its surface. Many tour guides joke about tourists who ask to see the antigravity chamber, a place where astronauts can experience zero gravity in preparation for their space flight, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. According to the author, it is possible to experience anti-gravity in moving machines, while anti-gravity chambers are impossible. Moving machines that let one feel less and less gravity are as close as ones local amusement park. While different people weigh different amounts depending on their size, one term can be used to describe the weight of everyone.

The article reports that there are pieces of Mars on Earth. It also presents several clues that presents information on how asteroids are the source of most meteorites. Meteorites must have struck Mars many times, sending rocks out into space. Rocks larger than a couple of inches in diameter generally make it through the atmosphere and hit the ground. A huge impact 65 million years ago damaged the environment so much that dinosaurs and many other creatures became extinct. Most meteorites are so small that they do little damage. Astroners believe that most meteorites come from the asteroid belt, a region of space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

The article presents information on how the science of astronomy developed. It was in ancient Greece that the science of astronomy got started. One of the most important questions that the Greeks tried to tackle had to do with the Earth's shape. The Earth's position in the universe was another puzzle that the Greek philosophers tried to solve. Most of them thought that daily movements of the sun, moon and stars proved that the Earth was a fixed body in the center of the universe around which everything else orbited. In the mid 1900s, physicist Albert Einstein's theories revolutionized science and gave astronomers new insight into how the universe works.

This section presents educational activities for children about the eras of the history of the earth.

An epilogue to the book "Return Blessing: Ecofeminist Liturgies Renewing the Earth," by Diann L. Neu is presented.

The article presents a liturgy on the renewal of spring, which is a part of the book "Return Blessing: Ecofeminist Liturgies Renewing the Earth," by Diann L. Neu. It states that renewal of spring is celebrated by honoring spirits of the west, north, east, and south for returning green life to planet Earth. It says that the liturgy invites participants to scatter grass seeds, to reflect on personal life, and commit themselves to an action towards saving Earth.

The article presents the chapter 15 of the book "Return Blessing: Ecofeminist Liturgies Renewing the Earth," by Diann L. Neu is presented. It explores the celebration of the winter solstice liturgy which celebrates Kwanzaa, the first harvest celebrations, Chanukah, a Jewish feast, and Christmas, as the coming of God. It mentions that lighting of candles such as for Kwanzaa for the power of community and to overcome racism, Chanukah for peace, and Christmas for peace on Earth.

The article presents part four of the book "Return Blessing: Ecofeminist Liturgies Renewing the Earth," by Diann L. Neu is presented. It explores the ecofeminist liturgies which focuses on themes including new beginnings, renewal, and rebirth. It mentions that the use of symbols including bonfires, candles, and Christmas tree urged people to heal the Earth through making homemade holiday gifts, buying a Christmas tree, and caring for inside house plants.

Chapter Ten of the book "Return Blessings: Ecofeminist Liturgies Renewing the Earth," by Diann L. Neu is presented. It explores the interconnection between all living things and the planet Earth deemed to sustain life. It mentions a liturgy intended to remind people to reconnect with the Earth and to cease destructive patterns humans have done to the world. Also provided are lyrics to songs about connecting to the earth.