The Karoo
The Karoo
The succulent and Nama-karoo form part of the arid south-western zone of Africa, a vast region of rugged landscapes and low treeless vegetation. Studies of this unique biome have yielded fascinating insights into the ecology of its flora and fauna. This book, originally published in 1999, is the first to synthesise these studies, presenting information on biogeographic patterns and life processes, form and function of animals and plants, foraging ecology, landscape-level dynamics and anthropogenic influences. Detailed analyses of the factors distinguishing the biota of the Karoo from that of other temperate deserts are given and generalisations about semi-arid ecosystems challenged. The ideas expounded, the ecological principles reviewed, and the results presented are relevant to all those working in the extensive arid and semi-arid regions of the world.
- Synthesises hitherto widely scattered information about the ecological patterns and processes of this unique region
- Presents a detailed analysis of factors which distinguish the Karoo flora and fauna from that of other temperate deserts
- Challenges the generalisations that have been made about semi-arid ecosystems
Reviews & endorsements
Review of the hardback: ' … a fine synthesis that will be a lasting work of reference.' Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Review of the hardback: 'This book provides insight … I loved it. I loved it for the depth of information and the logical presentation, for the beauty of the academic language and the pictures it created in my mind.' Winescape
Product details
December 2009Paperback
9780521126878
400 pages
246 × 189 × 21 mm
0.71kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Foreword P. W. Roux
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Part I. The Driving Variables W. Dean and S. Milton:
- 1. The climate of the Karoo - a functional approach P. Desmet and R. Cowling
- 2. Soils of the arid south-western zone of Africa M. Watkeys
- 3. Paleoenvironments M. Meadows and M. Watkeys
- 4. Plant biogeography, endemism and diversity R. Cowling and C. Hilton-Taylor
- 5. Biogeography, endemism and diversity of animals C. Vernon
- Part II. Form and Function B. Lovegrove: 6. Form and function in perennial plants G. Midgley and F. van der Heyden
- 7. Functional aspects of annual and biennial plants M. van Rooyen
- 8. Plant reproductive ecology K. Esler
- 9. Animal form and function B. Lovegrove
- 10. Animal foraging and food W. Dean and S. Milton
- Part III. Dynamics P. Novellie:
- 11. Population-level dynamics S. Milton, R. Davies and G. Kerley
- 12. Community patterns and dynamics A. Palmer, P. Novellie and J. Lloyd
- 13. Modelling populations and community dynamics in Karoo ecosystems K. Kellner and J. Booysen
- 14. Spatially explicit computer simulation models - tools for understanding vegetation dynamics and supporting rangeland management F. Jeltsch, T. Wiegand and C. Wissel
- Part IV. Human Impacts W. Siegfried:
- 15. Hunters and herders in the Karoo landscape A. Smith
- 16. Historical and contemporary land use and the desertification of the Karoo M. Hoffman, B. Cousins, T. Meyer, A. Petersen and H. Hendricks
- 17. Alien plant invaders of the Karoo: attributes, impacts and control S. Milton, H. Zimmerman and J. Hoffman
- 18. Comparison of ecosystem processes in the Nama Karoo and other deserts W. Whitford
- 18. The Succulent Karoo in a global context: plant structural and functional concepts comparison with North American winter rainfall deserts K. Esler, P. Rundel and R. Cowling
- 20. The Karoo: past and present S. Milton and W. Dean
- References
- Index.
