This is an accessible exploration of the influence of topography on environmental factors - air, water, soils and life. Topography is an important part of every environment and physical geography course, involving as it does the location and character of, and connections between, different environmental elements. Topographic factors influence climate and ecosystems at both local and global scales - similarly the climate and the ecosystem influences the further evolution of topography. The book is split into two sections, the first introducing students to the main facets of topography and the second exploring individual topographic influences on various environmental elements, such as climate, water, soils and plants. The authors also include sections on oceanographic features and mountain climates.