Environmental Studies: An Information Resources Brief
Updated 8/2001 by Charles H. Smith, Science Librarian

Introduction

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies it is sometimes difficult to locate related sources of information. In this handout a few hints are offered that will help facilitate such efforts.

Library of Congress Subjects

General Subjects:

G, GB, GC (Geography and Oceanography); GE (Environmental Sciences); GF (Human Ecology); QE (Geology); QH540-QH549.5 (Ecology); QL81.5-QL84.77 (Wildlife Conservation/Endangered Species); RA (Public Health); S (Agriculture all subjects); TC401-TC526 (Water Resources Development); TD (Environmental Technology/Sanitary Engineering)

Some Specific ('Official') LC Subject Headings:

aesthetics [BH301.E58]; agriculture chemistry [S583-S587.7]; bioethics [QH332]; biological diversity; conservation of natural resources [S900-S954]; earth sciences; ecofeminism; ecology [QH540-QH549.5]; endangered species [QH75-QH77, QL81.5-QL84.77]; environmental archaeology [CC81]; environmental auditing [TD194.7]; environmental chemistry [TD193]; environmental degradation [GE140-GE160]; environmental education [GE70-GE90]; environmental engineering [TA170-TA171]; environmental ethics [GE42]; environmental geochemistry [QE516.4]; environmental geology [QE38]; environmental health [RA565-RA600]; environmental impact analysis [TD194.6]; environmental impact charges [HJ5316]; environmental impact statements [TD194.5]; environmental indicators [GE140-GE160]; environmental law [K3581-K3595]; environmental literature; environmental mapping; environmental mediation; environmental monitoring [QH541.15 .M64]; environmental policy [GE170-GE190, HC79.E5]; environmental protection [TD169-TD171.8]; environmental psychology [BF353-BF353.5]; environmental responsibility [GE195.7]; environmental risk assessment [GE145]; environmental sciences [GE]; environmental testing [TA171]; environmentalism [GE195-GE199]; environmentalists; epidemiology [RA648.5-RA653.5]; forestry--conservation and protection [SD411-SD428]; forests and forestry--environmental aspects [SD387.E58]; geochemistry [QE514-QE516.5]; geography [G-GC]; geology [QE]; green movement [GE195-GE199, HC79.E5, JA75.8]; hazardous substances [T55.3 .H3]; hazardous waste sites; hazardous wastes; health risk assessment [RA427.3]; human ecology [GF]; man--influence of environment [several emphases: see TOPCAT 2000]; man--influence on nature [GF75]; natural disasters; natural resources [HC10-HC1085]; nature conservation [QH75-QH77]; oceanography [GC]; pollution [TD180]; pollution--physiological effect [QP82.2 .P6]; pollution--risk assessment [TD192]; pollution control equipment [TD192]; public health [RA]; risk assessment [QH541.15 .R57]; sustainable agriculture [S441-S482, S494.5 .S86]; sustainable forestry [SD387 .S87]; water quality [TD370-TD375]; water quality management [TD365]; water resources development [HD1690-HD1702, TC401-TC526]; wildlife conservation [QL81.5-QL84.77]

Bibliography (LC Heading "Z"):

Subject bibliographies are usually assigned to the "Z" section of the LC classification system.

The main areas relevant here and their respective call number ranges are as follows: Agriculture [Z5071-Z5076]; Biology [Z5320-Z5323]; Chemistry [Z5521-Z5526]; Engineering [Z5851-Z5855]; Environment [Z5861-Z5863]; Geography [Z6001-Z6028]; Geology [Z6031-Z6035]; Toxicology [Z7890-Z7892]; Water Supply and Ground Water [Z7935].

Journals

Uncatalogued (i.e., those with no call numbers) journals currently received at WKU are listed in the guide entitled WKU Libraries Subject Guide to Current Periodicals available at the Reference Center in Helm 1 or the Periodicals/Microforms desk in Helm 2. A more comprehensive list of serial holdings in science and technology (including past and present runs, indexes and abstracts, and electronic materials) is available in the guide entitled WKU Libraries Serial Holdings in the Natural and Applied Sciences available in the same places and on the WKU Libraries Web page. Use TOPCAT 2000 to check on the status of currently received titles (e.g., most recent received issues, binding information, etc.).

Indexes and Abstracts

A complete list of WKU-held serial indexes and abstracts in the sciences (including electronic titles and full-text services) is given in the abovementioned WKU Libraries Serial Holdings.

Electronic Resources

The FirstSearch family of databases, specifically Article1st, is the best place to start to survey the technical literature going back to 1990. Science Citation Index with Abstracts begins as a networked CD-ROM in 1998; this product provides a state-of-the-art review (abstracting) of the overall science literature, including that on environmental subjects. The EBSCOhost databases MasterFILE Premier and Academic Search Elite cover a variety of literature types extending back to 1986, with partial full-text coverage beginning about 1990. For CD-ROM products (including lots of U.S. Government-produced titles) that might be relevant to your particular subject consult with a reference librarian. A multitude of often subject-specific World Wide Web sites can be located using the many search engines (Yahoo, AltaVista, etc.) available through the WKU Libraries Topper InfoPortal (TIP). Also check the "Departmental Research Guides" service, accessible through TIP, for links to various environmental studies-related Web sites.

Careers

For related information check the GE55, GE60, GE80, and TD170 sections of the reference collection in Helm 1; also, Physical Sciences Career Directory (Q147 .P48 in reference) and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (at the Ready Reference desk, and online).

Last updated 8/13/01