371

book, but the title did say implementation, as well. It may be that the meaning
of the word implementation is different to the authors than for these readers.
Nevertheless, the consistent development, in one place, does serve those inter-
ested in Cap models, and we recommend it to them.

S. THEVANAYAGAM,
A.G. ALTSCHAEFFL
(West Lafayette,Ind. )

Principles of GeographicalInformation Systems for Land ResourcesAssessment.

P.A. Burrough. Monographs on Soil and Resources Survey No. 12. Oxford
University Press, Oxford, 1986, xiii+193 pp., paperback £stg.20.00, and
hardback £stg.40.00.

Geographic information systems are computer-based systems dedicated to

data collection, analysis and presentation in a spatial framework, or in simple
terms: mapping and maps. The flexibility of computer systems means, how-
ever, that updating and revising maps and the presentation of different the-
matic maps on a common base is made infinitely easier compared with
traditional mapping methods. With recent advances in relatively inexpensive
computer hardware and software systems it seems inevitable that geographic
information systems will become increasingly accessible to many interested
planners, engineers and geoscientists. Consequently, this book is of consider-
able importance to any individual or organisation involved in maps and map-
making and the storage and retrieval of associated data and to those who are
contemplating computerising their systems. As an introduction to the subject,
Principles of Geographical Information Systems is a timely addition to library
bookshelves. Its nine chapters consider data structures for thematic maps, dig-
ital elevation models, data input and verification, storage and output, data
analysis, data quality, errors and natural variation, classification methods and
methods for spatial interpolation. Advice is also given on the way to choose a
geographic information system considering the scope of application, available
personnel and costs involved.
Unfortunately, it seems inevitable that books dealing with computerised
systems will contain a considerable amount of jargon, but to the author's credit,
he has, wherever possible, kept it to a minimum. Generally, the systems for
data aquisition, analysis and presentation are precisely and cogently ex-
plained. Specific examples of actual applications of geographic information
systems are also common. Furthermore, the text is admirably supplemented
with illustrations, the majority of which are in black and white, but the few
colour maps presented clearly demonstrate the efficacy of colour plotters. All
the illustrations are essential to the reader if he/she is to understand the in-
tricacies of the data manipulations and presentations discussed. There is also
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adequate enough reference to the literature for any interested individual to be

able to follow up specific avenues of research relating to geographic informa-
tion systems.
My only criticism of the book is that it has too obviously evolved from a
series of undergraduate lecture notes (as is stated by the author) and as such
tends to have a recipe-like format. This obviously has some advantages in that
each chapter is clear, concise and usually self-contained, but I felt that some
areas worthy of considerable debate are glossed over. In particular, it is possible
to remain somewhat sceptical about the role of geographic information systems
in scientific enquiry. As long as it is accepted that such systems exist to facil-
itate and accelerate data storage, retreival and presentation (and no further
claims are made by Burrough), and as a consequence are useful technological
tools to aid research, there will be no problems. Problems may, of course, arise
as such systems facilitate access to data collected for one specific purpose being
used for another quite different purpose, which may then lead to the develop-
ment of incorrect conclusions. Whether this eventuates, however, remains to
be seen. In the meantime, time spent reading this book will be well worthwhile
for anybody contemplating a project involving large amounts of spatially re-
lated data.

C.J. CHARTRES
(Canberra, A.C.T. )

Le Cycle de l'Eau. Climats, Palgoclimats et Gdochimie Globale. Y. Tardy (Edi-

tor), Masson, Paris, 1986, 338 pp., price not given.

C'est une vue d'ensemble du cycle de l'eau et de la gdochimie, ouvrage orig-

inal, nouveau dont gdologues, hydrogdologues, gdochimistes, ingdnieurs de l'eau
et m~me g~ographes doivent prendre connaissance. C'est un livre de culture
g~ndrale.
L'ouvrage comprend deux parties. La premibre, le cycle de l'eau, est consa-
cr~e aux mdcanismes de l'eau, la seconde h une synth~se globale et h une re-
constitution des climats passds.
Un premier chapitre traite des mdcanismes h la surface du sol, dans l'atmo-
sphere, des bilans, des dchanges thermiques h partir de l'dnergie solaire, le mo-
teur essentiel du cycle de l'eau. I1 y a des mobilisations de l'dnergie. On aurait
aimd connMtre l'importance de l'~nergie mobilisde par la vdgdtation sous forme
de charbon pdtrole, mobilisde par oxydation, etc., dans le bilan g~ndral.
Le deuxibme chapitre concerne l'importance de l'~vapotranspiration. Les
phdnom~nes physiques sont bien ddvelopp~s. Mais lh encore on eut aimd avoir
plus de ddtails sur l'influence de la v~gdtation, la cause principale du ddficit
d'dcoulement des bassins.
Bon chapitre, bien ordonnd et bien ddveloppd sur le bilan hydrologique, fa-