Environmental Science

This page describes a few of the many print and electronic resources that will be useful for research in environmental sciences.

Reference Sources

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries | Handbooks and Statistical Sources
Biographical Sources

Reference sources are helpful in locating many types of specific information. They may provide a brief definition of an unfamiliar term, a more in-depth summary of a concept, or a comprehensive treatment of a subject. Some provide statistical information or physical data in the form of tables, graphs, and charts. Some biographical sources provide basic directory information about an individual scientist while others provide details about his or her life and contribution to science. Many reference sources serve as tools for accessing more information about a topic. The Timken Science Library has many reference sources that will be useful for locating information in each of the science disciplines.

The following is a list of sources relevant to environmental science. For a more extensive database of science reference sources available at the College, see Selected Bibliography of Science Reference Sources.

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

Encyclopedia of Deserts WOO Science Reference GB611 .E65 1999

The 655 alphabetically arranged topics in this encyclopedia cover information on the biology, history, climate, geology, anthropology and ecology of deserts.

Encyclopedia of Water WOO Science Reference GB655 .N38 2003

This encyclopedia focuses on the role water plays in human society and the natural world. Topics covered include the physical and chemical properties of water and the role of water in the natural world, as well as the philosophical, metaphorical and symbolic role of water in the arts.

Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues WOO Science Reference GE10 .E52 2000 v.1-3

This three-volume encyclopedia contains 475 signed, alphabetically arranged articles covering a wide variety of environmental issues, including air pollution, environmental legislation, oil spills, and solar power.

Encyclopedia of Global Change: Environmental Change and Human Society WOO Science Reference GE149 .E47 2002 v.1-2

This two-volume encyclopedia addresses issues of “natural and anthropogenic changes in the Earth’s physical, chemical and biological systems and resources, and it examines the effects of those changes on human society.” — Introduction

International Encyclopedia of Environmental Politics WOO Science Reference GE170 .I55 2002

This encyclopedia is a good starting point for research into topics in environmental politics. Alphabetically arranged entries may range from short definitions to long articles covering major topics. Access to relevant entries is facilitated by a thematic entry list, a comprehensive index and extensive cross-references. Most entries list suggestions for future reading.

Encyclopedia of World Environmental History WOO Reference GF10 .E63 2004 v.1-3

This encyclopedia provides a view of human interaction with the environment throughout time and encompassing the globe.

Our Earth’s Changing Land: An Encyclopedia of Land-Use and Land-Cover Change WOO Science Reference GF90 .O87 2006 v.1-2

This two-volume encyclopedia covers the key terms and topics of land-use and land-cover change in an alphabetical listing. The Guide to Related Topics groups individual entries into broader subjects, including Analysis of Land Change, Biomass Burning, Cropland Change, Land-Cover Conversion and Modification, and Models and Scenarios.

Encyclopedia of Environment and Society WOO Reference HM856 .E53 2007 v.1-5

Collectively, the 1,200 entries in this encyclopedia bring together the issues, concepts, theories, examples, problems and policies that bridge the traditional ideas of “environment” and “society.”

AccessScience@McGraw-Hill: The Online Encyclopedia

This is the electronic access version of the 10^th edition of McGraw-Hill’s Encyclopedia of Science and Technology WOO Science Reference Q121 .M3 2002 v.1-20, a highly technical encyclopedia in the sciences. The Web site provides fully searchable content from more than 8,500 articles in the latest edition of the encyclopedia as well as definitions from McGraw Hill’s Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, biographies of more than 2,000 scientists, bibliographies containing more than 28,000 literature citations and a well-developed subject directory of Web links.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms WOO Science Reference Q123 .M15 2003

This dictionary is intended for the scientific and engineering specialist as well as for the “nonspecialist needing a comprehensive yet accessible resource for scientific terminology.”

Encyclopedia of Climate and Weather WOO Science Reference QC854 .E523 1996 v.1-2

This two-volume encyclopedia encompasses subjects from the natural and social sciences that contribute to our understanding of the causes of weather and climate change and their effects on the environment and society. — Preface

The Oxford Companion to the Earth WOO Science Reference QE5 .O94 2000

This encyclopedia contains more than 900 entries covering geology, solid-earth geophysics, geochemistry, geodesy, paleontology and paleobiology, soil science, glaciology, physical oceanography, climatology, paleoclimatology and meteorology, environmental and resources developments, and the history of the earth sciences.

Habitats and Ecosystems: An Encyclopedia of Endangered America WOO Science Reference QH76 .C73 1999

This volume reviews the history of conservation in the United States. It is arranged by states and identifies current issues and challenges in the ecoregions of each state. Also “describes parks, sanctuaries and preserves that shelter special habitats and ecosystems.”

Encyclopedia of the Biosphere: Humans in the World’s Ecosystems WOO Science Reference QH343.4 .B5613 2000 vol. 1-11

This eleven volume encyclopedia provides comprehensive coverage of the earth’s major biomes, with emphasis on how these ecosystems have been impacted by human activity.

Encyclopedia of Biodiversity WOO Science Reference QH541.15 .B56 E53 2001 v.1-5

This 5-volume, alphabetically arranged encyclopedia provides a “comprehensive study of the topic of diversity in the natural world.”

Encyclopedia of Environmental Studies WOO Science Reference TD9 .A84 2001

Provides definitions and descriptions of concepts and terms commonly found in technical reports and government documents dealing with environmental topics. The range of topics covers the “hard sciences” as well as the social sciences (e.g., economics and politics) and the humanities (e.g., history, philosophy and religion).

The Facts on File Dictionary of Environmental Science WOO Science Reference TD9 .W95 2007

This dictionary covers terminology from the basic sciences that are applied to environmental problems, as well as terms from federal, state and local environmental regulations.

The Wiley Encyclopedia of Energy and the Environment WOO Science Reference TJ163.235 .W55 1997 v.1-2

This two volume encyclopedia provides an introduction to topics in energy production and use and the impact of these technologies on the environment. Legal and policy issues are presented.

Macmillan Encyclopedia of Energy WOO Science Reference TJ163.28 .M33 2001 v.1-3

The purpose of this three-volume interdisciplinary encyclopedia is to provide an up-to-date reference guide to information about all aspects of energy.

Handbooks and Statistical Sources

Weather America: A Thirty-Year Summary of Statistical Weather Data and Rankings WOO Science Reference QC983 .W385 2000

This reference organizes, analyzes and ranks key United States weather data for the past 30 years.

Handbook of Biodiversity Methods: Survey, Evaluation and Monitoring WOO Science Reference QH541.15 .B56 H35 2005

The purpose of this handbook is to enable the collection and evaluation of biodiversity data according to standard procedures. Part I focuses on planning, including setting objectives. selecting appropriate methods and designing the monitoring program, sampling strategy and data analysis. Parts II and III are devoted to habitats and species survey, evaluation and monitoring.

Handbook of Ecotoxicology WOO Science Reference QH545 .A1 H36 1995

Covers the fields of ecotoxicology, terrestrial wildlife toxicology, and other environmental sciences. Includes such topics as deforestation and global warming, pathogens and disease in ecotoxicology, abiotic factors, urban runoff, predictive ecotoxicology, population modeling, and restoration ecology.

The Handbook of Water and Wastewater Microbiology WOO Science Reference QR48 .H35 2003

This handbook provides an introduction to water and wastewater microbiology. It is divided into four parts covering basic microbiology, water and excretia-related diseases, microbiology of wastewater treatment and drinking water microbiology.

Handbook of Environmental Health WOO Science Reference RA565 .K67 2003 v.1-2

The two volumes of this handbook “cover basic and applied chemistry relative to both toxicity to humans and the fate of natural and anthropogenic contaminants in the environment; basic and applied microbiology relative to both pathogenicity to humans and the fate of natural and anthropogenic contaminants in the environment; current status of each environmental problem area; discussion of the problem; potential for intervention; resources available for use, standards, practices, and techniques utilized to resolve the problem” and much more. — Foreword

Biological Hazards WOO Science Reference RA643 .C26 2002

This compact reference handbook provides a general audience with information on the nature of biohazards and examples of waterborne, airborne, foodborne and contact diseases. It also covers diseases and pests of agricultural crops and animals as well as venoms, toxins and allergens.

Handbook of Physical-Chemical Properties and Environmental Fate for Organic Chemicals WOO Science Reference TD196 .O73 M32 2006 v.1-4

“This handbook is a compilation of environmentally relevant physical-chemical data for similarly structured groups of substances” which aims to serve as a reference source and to illustrate the likely behavior of these chemicals as they migrate throughout the biosphere. The four volumes cover: I. Introduction and Hydrocarbons, II. Halogenated Hydrocarbons, III. Oxygen Containing Compounds, and IV. Nitrogen and Sulfur Containing Compounds and Pesticides.

The World’s Water 2006-2007: The Biennial Report on Freshwater Resources WOO Science Reference TD345 .G54 2006-07

Each volume of this series explores critical water resources and provides water data and information. The library has all five volumes for 1998-99, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2004-05 and 2006-07.

The Water Encyclopedia WOO Science Reference TD351 .V36 1990

Contains more than 600 tables and 100 illustrations on subjects such as: climate, hydrology, surface and ground water, water use, water quality, water management, water resource agencies and legislation, and environmental problems. Also includes a chapter on constants and conversion factors.

Practical Handbook of Soil, Vadose Zone and Ground Water Contamination: Assessment, Prevention and Remediation WOO Science Reference TD878 .B684 1995

A single, convenient reference source for locating answers to questions about contaminated soil or ground water.

Energy Supply WOO Science Reference TJ163.2 .Y68 2005

This single volume provides an overview of issues and laws related to energy supply, a chronology of events, a glossary, a listing of important persons and a guide to research. The extensive annotated bibliography includes books, articles and web documents.

Alternative Energy: Facts, Statistics and Issues WOO Science Reference TJ808 .B467 2001

Intended for a lay audience, this book seeks to “asses the current state of alternative energy, estimate where it is going, understand how it works, and how it fits into the total energy picture.” [preface] The book includes both narrative and quantitative information about solar, biomass, wind, ocean, fusion, geothermal and hydrogen energy.

Biographical Sources

Environmental Activism: A Reference Handbook WOO Science Reference GE195 .S88 2003

This book treats environmental activism from a historical perspective, as well as within the context of contemporary issues. It provides a chronology of events, information about important people and organizations, descriptions of important reports, documents and court cases, and selected print and non-print resources.

Notable Twentieth-Century Scientists WOO Science Reference Q141 .N73 1995 v.1-4 and supp.

Information on approximately 1,300 twentieth century scientists active in all of the natural, physical, and applied sciences. Provides name, birth/death dates, nationality, primary field(s) of specialization, a basic biographical essay, lists of selected writings, and a source section for locating more information.

Biographical Dictionary of American and Canadian Naturalists and Environmentalists WOO Science Reference QH26 .B535 1997

Contains personal and professional information on 445 American and Canadian naturalists and environmentalists who lived between the late 15th and late 20th centuries.

The Environmentalists: A Biographical Dictionary from the 17th Century to the Present WOO Science Reference S926 .A2 A94 1993

A guide to individuals and organizations who have influenced the environmental movement in the United States and the world.

Indexes and Databases

Print and electronic indexes and abstracts provide access to the enormous quantity of science information published in widely-dispersed primary scientific literature found in journal articles. The libraries’ Databases by Title page provides access to all databases available to the college community. Online help is available within each search system and database. In addition to General Databases, there are many databases that focus entirely on the sciences. Selected Databases for Research in Science provides descriptions of the science-related databases. Indexes and databases that are especially useful for locating information in environmental information include:

AGRICOLA [EBSCOhost] (1970 to present)

Provides access to the literature of agriculture and related subjects.

BIOSIS Previews [OSearch] (1980 to present)

Provides access to bibliographic citations and abstracts to biological and medical literature from journals, international meetings, reviews and books.

Environment Complete [EBSCOhost] (1975 to present)

This database covers applicable areas of agriculture, ecosystem ecology, energy, natural resources, marine and freshwater science, geography, pollution and waste management, environmental technology, environmental law, public policy, social impacts, urban planning and more. It contains citations for articles from 1,200 domestic and international journals, as well as 100 monographs. The database provides full text for many of the most used journals in the discipline, and for the conference papers of the North American Association of Environmental Education.

GeoRef [OSearch] (1785 to present)

Covers the worldwide technical literature on geology and geophysics. Indexes journal articles, conference papers, books, reports, maps, and theses.

MEDLINE [OSearch] (1950-65), (1950 to present) and (2002 to present) [EBSCOhost] (1950 to present)

MEDLINE contains bibliographic citations and author abstracts from more than 3,900 biomedical journals covering the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, and the preclinical sciences.

Science Citation Index [ISI] (1980 to present)

This multidiscinplinary databse indexes more than 5700 major journals across 164 scientific disciplines. It provides subject, author, and cited reference searching, allowing users to locate articles that cite a known author or work.

Locating Full Text of Journal Articles

Once you have retrieved citations to relevant articles from print indexes and abstracts, electronic research databases, bibliographies and other sources, you will need to determine whether they are available at the College of Wooster. Many articles are available by linking from within an electronic database, but other articles may be available in print, microform or online that are not accessible by direct link from a database.

To determine whether the college has access to a particular journal title in any format, search by title from the Wooster e-Journals and Journals page. You may also browse a complete list of journal titles by subject category from the same page.

For a more detailed description of how to determine whether a journal article is available at Wooster, see Lesson 9: Finding Full Text of Journal Articles in the Guide to Library Research in Science.

Selected Internet Sites

EarthTrends: The Environmental Information Portal

This site, developed by the World Resources Institute, provides access to global or country-specific environmental data in 10 categories, including water resources and freshwater systems, agriculture and food, climate and atmosphere, and biodiversity.

Energy Information Administration

This is an excellent resource for data on all major energy sources, including petroleum, natural gas, electricity, coal, nuclear and renewable fuels. The site includes international energy information, statistical forecasts and analyses; state and United States historical data; energy use for houses, buildings and industry; and environmental data.

Environmental Protection Agency

The official site of the EPA includes current news items; laws, regulations and dockets; environmental information about regions of the country or specific localities; access to EPA publications, libraries, databases, and other sources of information; and, educational resources.

Environmental Resources on the Web

Produced jointly by the Center for Environmental Journalism and the University Libraries at the University of Colorado in Boulder, this site provides access to Web sites and databases containing information on the scientific, political, economic, and social aspects of environmental issues.

EnviroLink: The Online Environmental Community

EnviroLink is a nonprofit organization which acts as an Internet clearinghouse for the diverse environmental community.

Librarians’ Index to the Internet-Environment Topics

A searchable directory of Internet resources selected and evaluated by librarians.

National Council for Science and the Environment: National Library for the Environment

The NCSE works to improve the scientific basis for environmental decision making. The site provides access to more than 1200 Congressional Research Service Reports on environmental and related topics. It also links to many other environmental resources.

Natural Resources Defense Council

The National Resources Defense Council strives “to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.” The web site provides information on clean air and energy, global warming, clean water and oceans, environmental legislation and more.

NatureServe

This site focuses on the distribution and conservation status of more than 59,000 plant and animal species in the United States and Canada.

Guide to Library Research in Science

In an increasingly complex information environment, it is important that individuals develop the ability to determine when and what kind of information is needed, and to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively. Science Librarian Donna Jacobs has prepared a Guide to Library Research in Science, which consists of several integrated lessons, to help you with each stage of your library research.

Need Help?

Donna Jacobs
Science Librarian
330/263-2280