Geosystems Core – PDF

About The Author

Charles E. Thomsen

Ginger Birkeland

Dr. Ginger Hinchman Birkeland earned her MA and Ph.D. from Arizona State University, with a focus in fluvial geomorphology. She taught intro courses at Indiana University and Montana State University, spent time as a research associate at Arizona State, and has spent many years as a commercial river guide and an outdoor education instructor. Dr. Birkeland has worked in the field as a fluvial geomorphologist for industry and funded government projects. Some of her field projects include: geomorphic oversight, technical expertise, and technical editing for the Menomonee River Sediment Study (Wisconsin); a multidisciplinary plan for recovery of two threatened fish species in the Truckee River Recovery Plan (California and Nevada) for the US Fish and Wildlife Service; geomorphic expertise, and co-authoring of several sections on fluvial geomorphology for reports on bank protection and salmon habitat enhancement for the Integrated Streambank Protection Guidelines and Channel Design Guidelines (Washington).

Robert W. Christopherson

Professor Robert W. Christopherson attended California State University-Chico for his undergraduate work and received his Masters in Geography from Miami University-Oxford, Ohio. Geosystems evolved out of his teaching notes and was his graduate thesis: this is Roberts life’s work. He founded the geography program of American River College faculty. His wife Bobbé is his principal photographer and has provided more than 300 exclusive pictures for each of his books. Together they have completed nine polar expeditions (most recently in spring 2010). They attended the 2004 Arctic Climate Impact Symposium in Reykjavik, Iceland to acquire photo and video coverage and research.

Christopherson is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 1998 and 2005 Text and Academic Authors Association Textbook Award for Geosystems and Elemental Geosystems, 4th edition, respectively. He was selected by American River College students as "Teacher of the Year" and received the American River College Patrons Award. Robert received the 1999 Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award from the National Council for Geographic Education and the Outstanding Educator Award from the California Geographical Society in 1997. The Text and Academic Authors Association presented him with its Presidents' Award in 2005. Amongst many other things, Robert has been deeply involved in the development of Pearson’s Geoscience Animation Library, and he led the editorial board of Rand McNally’s Goode’s World Atlas 22e.

Stephen Cunha

Dr. Stephen Cunha is professor of geography at Humboldt State University. He received his BS, MA, and Phd from UC Berkeley (USA). Stephen is an active researcher, teacher, and mountain geographer. He has co-authored many geography textbooks and the Atlas of California. Dr. Cunha was head of the California Geographic Alliance. He has international travel and experience in the Asia, Americas, and Africa, bringing a new international perspective and content to Geosystems Core. Cunha has numerous teaching and research awards and is active in various organizations like AAG.