"General overview of mountain, desert, and grassland ecosystems, including an exploration of disturbances these ecosystems face due to human interference and climate change; and current conservation and reclamation efforts. Features include fact boxes, sidebars, activities, glossary, list of recommended reading and Web sites, and index"--Provided by publisher.

Includes index.

What are mountains? -- Mountains' influence on weather and climate -- Mountain climates -- Mountain plants -- Mountain animals -- Climate change and mountain glaciers -- Climate change and mountain life -- Mountains and industry -- Agriculture and tourism -- What are deserts? -- Desert weather -- Deserts of the world -- Desert plants -- Desert animals -- People and the desert -- The traffic threat -- Threats to desert life -- Climate change and deserts -- What are grasslands? -- How rainfall shapes grasslands -- Grassland plants -- Grassland animals -- Hunting and warfare -- Development -- Agriculture -- Climate change and grasslands -- Activities.