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  • Book
  • © 2012

African Ecology

Benchmarks and Historical Perspectives

  • African ecology, undergraduate to post graduate level
  • Its comprehensive approach makes it a unique contribution to the ecological literature, which should provide a standard reference for students and teachers of African ecology for many years to come
  • Its historical approach provides benchmarks against which present conditions can be evaluated
  • Contains 29 chapters plus appendix, with 221 maps and figures, and 148 monochrome plates
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Springer Geography (SPRINGERGEOGR)

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Table of contents (29 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xli
  2. Africa Background to Exuberance

    • Clive A. Spinage
    Pages 1-53
  3. The Abiotic Environment

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 55-55
  4. THE ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENT

    1. Fire Part I: Introduction and History

      • Clive A. Spinage
      Pages 251-292
    2. Fire Part II: Effects and Ecology

      • Clive A. Spinage
      Pages 293-338
  5. The Floral Environment

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 339-339
  6. THE FLORAL ENVIRONMENT

  7. Abundance of Populations

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 479-479
  8. ABUNDANCE OF POPULATIONS

    1. Other Abundant Populations

      • Clive A. Spinage
      Pages 571-614
    2. Too Many Hippopotamuses?

      • Clive A. Spinage
      Pages 615-673
    3. Elephants: A Continent-Wide Problem Part II

      • Clive A. Spinage
      Pages 715-783
    4. Elephants a Continent-Wide Problem: Part III

      • Clive A. Spinage
      Pages 785-817

About this book

In view of the rapidly changing ecology of Africa ,this work provides benchmarks for some of the major, and more neglected, aspects, with an accent on historical data to enable habitats to be seen in relation to their previous state, forming a background reference work to understanding how the ecology of Africa has been shaped by its past. Reviewing historical data wherever possible it adopts an holistic view treating man as well as animals, with accent on diseases both human and animal which have been a potent force in shaping Africa’s ecology, a role neglected in ecological studies.

Reviews

From the reviews:

“It is one of the best recent synthetic works, drawing widely from the historical literature, and presents a wealth of past and current information in an accessible and highly readable format. … this work sets a valuable historical baseline for those interested in regional biogeography and especially for those currently working in this area … . This book therefore will be of use not just to students and scientists in the field of ecology, but to anyone interested in African history, wildlife conservation and development.” (Dino J. Martins, Frontiers of Biogeography, Vol. 5 (1), 2013)

“A benchmark book this is. … This reads like the memoirs of a knowledgeable naturalist who has spent a lot of time in the field but who also knows the literature (references cover 123 pages). I can’t think of any other book that covers such a wide range of African ecology with such a depth of historical understanding. … this will be a superb resource for anyone wanting a broad picture, and it certainly deserves a place in an ecological library.” (Peter Thomas, Bulletin of the British Ecological Society, Vol. 43 (4), December, 2012)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Faringdon, United Kingdom

    Clive Alfred Spinage

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access