Raven's 8th edition of Environmentoffers more detailed content than the Visualizing text for a better understanding and integration of the core environmental systems and to view and analyze the role those systems play.  Shorter, but still comprehensive coverage focuses on ethical decision making and key local environmental science issues, requiring readers to think critically about the course material outside of the classroom.

Other features include brief text in the comprehensive segment; extensive chapter pedagogy to help reinforce the systems approach; more opportunities to think critically about the how systems intersect and fit together; and new data interpretation questions at the end of each chapter.