Consider a Cylindrical Cow: More Adventures in Environmental Problem Solving [Paperback]

John Harte (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1891389173 | ISBN-13: 978-1891389177 | Publication Date: February 15, 2001

Following in the tradition of Consider a Spherical Cow, the Cylindrical Cow will help students achieve a whole new level of environmental modeling and problem solving. Featuring a new core set of 25 fully worked-out problems, this book uses real problems in environmental science rather than relying on the more traditional cookbook problems found in textbooks. It is organized according to five thematic sections on probability, optimization, scaling, differential equations, and stability & feedback. Each section begins with a general treatment of the relevant mathematical concepts, and concludes with a range of homework exercises to help students sharpen their modeling skills. Like its predecessor, this book will empower students with the mathematical skills needed to cut through the complexity of real-world problems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book should be read and used by all students of environmental studies, and should be an important acquisition for any research, teaching, or general academic library. --Choice

Spherical Cow is an excellent guide to the very important art of quickly finding approximate answers to problems such as what was the pH of rainfall before the Industrial Revolution? This book illustrates step-by-step how to solve dozens of problems of this type. --Journal of Chemical Education and Computational Science

About the Author

For more than two decades, John Harte has taught courses on the quantitative aspects of environmental science at University of California, Berkeley, where he holds the Distinguished Class of 1935 Professorship in the Energy and Resources Group. His previous book, Consider a Spherical Cow, became a landmark text in the field. He is also the author of The Green Fuse and co-author of Patient Earth and Toxics A to Z. He has published numerous articles on ecology and biodiversity, water and other resources, climate change and its effects, acid precipitation, and environmental policy. John Harte received his B.A. from Harvard University and his PhD in physics from the University of Wisconsin. Harte is also the recipient of the 2001 Leo Szilard Lectureship Award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 211 pages
• Publisher: University Science Books (February 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891389173
• ISBN-13: 978-1891389177
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #394,773 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, but not as great as "Spherical", July 13, 2006

By 

John Doe - See all my reviews

This review is from: Consider a Cylindrical Cow: More Adventures in Environmental Problem Solving (Paperback)

I can't quite give this one five stars because, unlike "Consider a Spherical Cow", it lacks solutions in the back to the exercises throughout the book. This makes it a little less welcoming than "Spherical" to those using it for self study.

Nonetheless, Harte writes with insight and humor. Moreover, this kind of book is, one that shows students the utility of simple quantitative models, is rare and important.

Can't there be a solutions manual or something?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference for quantitative problem-solving in ecology, March 31, 2006

By 

Amber Kerr (Berkeley, California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Consider a Cylindrical Cow: More Adventures in Environmental Problem Solving (Paperback)

This book is a great reference for anyone working in ecology or environmental science. It makes use of more advanced mathematics (differential equations and linear algebra) than does its predecessor, "Consider a Spherical Cow," but retains the same clear and intuitive style.

The book is centered around five "core models" (population growth, predator-prey, biogeochemistry, non-steady-state climate, and pollutant stock-and-flow), each of which requires a different set of mathematical tools. Even a reader who doesn't follow all the details of the calculations will still learn how to approach these different kinds of quantitative problems. Most sections start with easier examples and work up to more difficult ones, so the book as a whole is very accessible.

"Cylindrical Cow" encourages conceptual understanding rather than providing plug-and-chug formulas. There were just a few cases where I would have preferred a little more guidance (for example, the chapter on feedback loops didn't have enough worked-through examples).

All in all a great book to have on hand, and refreshing in its clarity. (And no, I'm not biased just because the author is my advisor. :-)