Learn to analyze real Earth and environmental data in R from scratch (from the very beginning), with no prior coding or statistics experience required.
From GPS station motion and Greenland's vanishing ice to coastal flooding and global greenhouse-gas emissions, this beginner-friendly textbook teaches you to work with the data of a changing planet, starting from zero.
Most R and GIS books assume you already know how to code. This one does not. It begins with opening RStudio and running your first line of code, then builds step by step toward real spatial analysis, time series, modeling, and an introduction to machine learning, always using real Earth and environmental data, not artificial example data.
What you will learn:
Why this book is different:
Instead of memorizing commands or clicking through menus, you learn to build flexible, reproducible analytical workflows that connect coding with scientific interpretation. Every chapter moves from a real question, to real data, to a clear and defensible answer. That is how research actually works. Each chapter opens with plain-language learning goals, explains every new term for first-time and international learners, and ends by showing where the methods lead in real student and faculty research.
Ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in Earth science, geology, environmental science, sustainability, and GIS; for instructors who want a beginner-first R textbook (free instructor resources available); and for self-learners who want to turn environmental data into insight.
Free companion resources, including a sample chapter, all code and datasets, and updates, are available online.
Anyone can research, anywhere, anytime.
About the Author :
Antonios E. Marsellos, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability at Hofstra University, where his work focuses on geoinformatics, Earth data analytics, and environmental modeling. His research integrates spatial analysis, time series methods, and data-driven approaches to study natural hazards, climate processes, and Earth system dynamics. He has taught geostatistics, GIS, and data analytics at universities in Europe and the United States, with an emphasis on hands-on, research-based learning that helps students with no prior coding experience build and present their own projects. His expertise has been featured in national and international media, including NBC News, ABC, FOX 5, and Deutsche Welle. Katerina G. Tsakiri, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Information Systems, Analytics and Supply Chain Management at Rider University. Her work focuses on data analytics, decision-making systems, and the application of quantitative methods in business and environmental contexts. She emphasizes clarity, interpretation, and the practical use of analytical tools for real-world problem solving, bringing a perspective that connects data science principles with broader applications in analytics and decision-making.
