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Vegetation of Southern Africa

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ISBN-10:: 0521548012
ISBN-13:: 9780521548014
Pub. Date:: 04/01/2004
Publisher:: Cambridge University Press

ISBN-10:: 0521548012
ISBN-13:: 9780521548014
Pub. Date:: 04/01/2004
Publisher:: Cambridge University Press

Vegetation of Southern Africa

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Overview

This impressive work is the first comprehensive account of the vegetation of southern Africa. The region contains a remarkable juxtaposition of different ecosystems, yet it forms a cohesive ecological unit with exceptionally high endemism. The book is divided into three major parts: Part I provides the physiographic, climatic, biogeographic and historical background essential for understanding contemporary vegetation patterns and processes. Part II includes systematic descriptions of the characteristics and determinants of major vegetation units (the major terrestrial biomes, coastal vegetation, freshwater wetlands and marine vegetation). Part III elaborates on selected ecological themes of particular importance including grazing, fire, alien plant invasions, conservation and human use of plants. These are discussed in the context of prevailing paradigms in the international literature.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521548014
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/01/2004
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	652
Product dimensions:	7.48(w) x 9.65(h) x 1.38(d)

Foreword B. J. Huntley; Preface; Contributors; Part. Physiography and History: Introduction; 1. Evolution of landscapes T. C. Partridge; 2. Climate R. E. Schulze; 3. Phytogeography, flora and endemism R. M. Cowling, and C. Hilton-Taylor; 4. Vegetation history L. Scott, H. M. Anderson, and J. M. Anderson; Part II. Biomes: Introduction; 5. Categorization of biomes M. C. Rutherford; 6. Fynbos R. M. Cowling, D. M. Richardson, and P. J. Mustart; 7. Succulent karoo S. J. Milton, R. I. Yeaton, W. R. J. Dean, and J. H. J. Vlok; 8. Nama-karoo A. R. Palmer, and M. T. Hoffman; 9. Desert N. Jürgens, A. Günster, M. K. Seely, and K. M. Jacobson; 10. Grassland T. G. O'Connor, and G. J. Bredenkamp; 11. Savanna R. J. Scholes; 12. Forest J. J. Midgley, R. M. Cowling, A. H. W. Seydack, and G. F. Van Wyk; 13. Coastal vegetation R. A. Lubke, A. M. Avis, T. D. Steinke, and C. Boucher; 14. Freshwater wetlands K. H. Rogers; 15. Marine vegetation J. J. Bolton and R. J. Anderson; Part III. Ecological Themes: Introduction; 16. Plant form and function W. D. Stock, N. Allsopp, F. van der Heyden, and E. T. F. Witkowski; 17. Herbivory N. Owen-Smith, and J. E. Danckwerts; 18. Fire W. J. Bond; 19. Species diversity at the regional scale R. M. Cowling, D. M. Richardson, R. E. Schulze, M. T. Hoffman, J. J. Midgley, and C. Hilton-Taylor; 20. Human use of plants A. B. Cunningham, and G. W. Davis; 21. Human impacts on vegetation M. T. Hoffman; 22. Alien plant invasions D. M. Richardson, I. A. W. Macdonald, J. H. Hoffmann, and L. Henderson; 23. Conservation A. G. Rebelo; Glossary; Index.

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Editorial Reviews

'Vegetation of Southern Africa is most certainly a classic volume that will serve as a core reference for decades to come. I cannot imagine anyone with interests in any aspect of the vegetation or conservation biology of Africa, or in comparative vegetation science, who will not find this useful as a personal reference … The editors and publisher deserve congratulations for the production of a scholarly volume of this quality.' Philip W. Rundel, Journal of Biogeography

'By involving experts to write on particular aspects of the vegetation in southern Africa and related topics, under the guidance of excellent editorship, it has been possible to compile the most comprehensive compendium of information on southern Africas's vegetation to date … Vegetation of Southern Africa is well timed as it provides a good critique of the state of affairs and will serve as a valuable benchmark publication for future work.' D. J. McDonald, Bothalia

'The editors are to be congratulated on the breadth and scope of knowledge that has been assembled here.' Annals of Botany

'… believe this detailed account will remain a treasured resource for a long time to come.' Journal of Vegetation Sciences

'… the book thus serves as an excellent introduction to the geographical and ecological studies performed in southern Africa. … the book is richly illustrated by drawings, diagrams and black-and-white photos. … Everyone will find some particular details that to date have not been treated in average textbooks of geography. For example, the book provides a remarkable explanation of the contrasting influence of the warm Mozambique Current to the east, and cold ocean waters upwelling along the western sea shore. Botanists will be pleased by the well-documented pattern of five phytogeographical regions, which reflect the much discussed correspondence between life forms, climate and soils.' Jan Jeník, Department of Botany, Charles University, Czech Republic

'Experts and teachers interested in the overall pattern and problems of the biosphere will welcome the first section. … Everyone will find some particular details that to date have not been treated in average textbooks of geography. … Botanics will be pleased by the well-documented pattern of five phytogeographical regions …' Folia geobotanica

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