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Ecology of Angola : Terrestrial Biomes and Ecoregions.

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Huntley, Brian John.
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Cham : Springer International Publishing AG, 2023.
Edition:1st ed.
Subjects:
Electronic books.
Online Access:Click to View
Table of Contents:
  • Intro
  • Foreword
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgements
  • Editorial Notes
  • References
  • Contents
  • About the Author
  • Part I An Introduction to Angola's Biomes and Ecoregions
  • 1 Opportunities in and Approaches to the Study of Angolan Ecology
  • 1.1 The Science and Practice of Ecology
  • 1.2 The Structure of This Introduction to Terrestrial Ecology
  • 1.3 How to Use This Book: Interconnections and Recurrent Messages
  • References
  • 2 Biomes: Concepts, Characteristics and Terminology
  • 2.1 Biodiversity, Biogeography and Centres of Endemism
  • 2.2 Biome and Ecoregion Definition and Characterisation
  • 2.3 The Biomes of Africa in Outline
  • 2.4 Classification of Angola's Biomes and Ecoregions
  • References
  • 3 Profiles of Angola's Biomes and Ecoregions
  • 3.1 Guineo-Congolian Rain Forest Biome and Forest/Savanna Mosaic
  • 3.2 Afromontane Forest and Grassland Biome
  • 3.3 Mesic Savanna Biome
  • 3.4 Arid Savanna Biome
  • 3.5 Namib Desert Biome
  • 3.6 Mangrove Biome
  • 3.7 Angolan Escarpment Zone
  • References
  • Part II Determinants of Pattern: Conditions, Resources and Disturbance
  • 4 Landscapes: Geology, Geomorphology and Hydrology
  • 4.1 Geology: A Brief History of the Earth and of Angola
  • 4.2 Landscapes, Landscape Ecology and Geomorphology
  • 4.3 Hydrology: Wetlands, Water Towers, Rivers, Floodplains and Estuaries
  • References
  • 5 Solar Energy, Temperature and Rainfall
  • 5.1 Where Life Begins: Solar Radiation and Photosynthesis
  • 5.2 Seasonality of Day Length and Temperature
  • 5.3 Large-Scale Drivers of Climate: Oceanic and Atmospheric Circulation
  • 5.4 Local Influences: Maritime, Continental, Altitudinal and Aspect
  • 5.5 Water Cycle Processes: Precipitation and Evapotranspiration
  • 5.6 Regional Climates of Angola
  • 5.7 Climate as a Determinant of Vegetation Patterns
  • 5.8 El Niño, La Niña, Droughts and Floods
  • References.
  • 6 Soil, Water and Nutrients
  • 6.1 Soil Structure
  • 6.2 Development of Soil: Weathering and Pedogenesis
  • 6.3 Soil Water Relations
  • 6.4 Soil Chemistry and Nutrient Status
  • 6.5 Soils and Tree Growth
  • 6.6 Soil Classification
  • 6.7 Key Soil Groups of Angola
  • References
  • 7 The Ecological Role of Fire
  • 7.1 The Ancient History of Fire in Africa
  • 7.2 Fire Regimes and Pyromes
  • 7.3 Fire Intensity
  • 7.4 Fire Season
  • 7.5 Fire Frequency
  • 7.6 Impacts of Fire on Soils
  • 7.7 Plant Responses to Fire
  • 7.8 Responses of Animals to Fire
  • References
  • 8 Herbivory: Mammalian Grazers and Browsers
  • 8.1 The Evolution of African Mammalian Herbivores and of Arid/Eutrophic Savannas
  • 8.2 The Herbivomes of Africa
  • 8.3 Patterns of Impacts of Browsers and Grazers
  • References
  • Part III Ecological Concepts and Ecosystem Processes
  • 9 General Concepts in Ecology
  • 9.1 The Evolutionary Basis of Ecology
  • 9.1.1 Species Richness, Evenness and Diversity
  • 9.2 Endemism, Threatened Species and Hotspots
  • 9.3 Life History Patterns: r- and K-Selection Strategies
  • 9.4 The Concepts of the Ecological Niche and the Guild
  • 9.5 Herbivory, Predation, Parasitism and Mutualism
  • 9.6 Theories of Island Biogeography and of Metapopulations
  • References
  • 10 Ecosystem Processes and Dynamics in Mesic Savannas
  • 10.1 Food Chains, Food Webs and Trophic Levels
  • 10.2 The Photosynthetic Pathways of Angolan Plants
  • 10.3 Primary Production in Mesic Savannas
  • 10.4 Standing Crop Biomass and Canopy Cover in Mesic Savannas
  • 10.5 Herbivory and Primary Consumption in African Savannas
  • 10.6 Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling
  • 10.7 Savanna/Forest Dynamics: Fire as the Driver of Alternative Stable States
  • References
  • 11 Adaptations to Life in the Namib Desert
  • 11.1 Water: The Currency of Life in Desert Environments.
  • 11.2 Adaptations to the Heat of the Desert
  • 11.3 Competition for Food in a Low Productivity Environment
  • 11.4 Defence Mechanisms: Camouflage, Deceit, Mimicry, Spines, Poisons and Social Behaviour
  • 11.5 Reproduction and Survival in Desert Environments
  • References
  • Part IV Ecological Features of Angolan Biomes and Ecoregions
  • 12 The Guineo-Congolian Rain Forest Biome
  • 12.1 Definitition and Distribution
  • 12.2 Climate and Microclimate: The Roles of Fog (Cacimbo) and of Shade
  • 12.3 Physiognomic Structure
  • 12.4 Forest Canopy Growth Cycles: Gap-Phase Dynamics
  • 12.5 Floristic Composition
  • 12.6 Faunal Composition
  • 12.7 Rain Forest Mammals
  • 12.8 Interconnections Between Plants and Animals
  • References
  • 13 The Afromontane Forest and Montane Grassland Biome
  • 13.1 Afromontane Forests (Ecoregion 4)
  • 13.2 Afromontane Grasslands (Ecoregion 5)
  • 13.3 Faunal Composition of Afromontane Forests and Grasslands
  • References
  • 14 The Mesic Savanna Biome
  • 14.1 Definition and Distribution
  • 14.2 Landscapes, Soils, the Catena Concept, Termitaria and Underground Forests
  • 14.3 Climate and Seasonality
  • 14.4 Floristic Composition, Physiognomic Structure and Phenology
  • 14.5 Faunal Composition of Mesic Savannas
  • 14.6 Mammals of the Angolan Mesic Savannas
  • References
  • 15 The Arid Savanna Biome
  • 15.1 Angolan Mopane Woodlands (Ecoregion 12)
  • 15.2 Namib Savanna Woodlands (Ecoregion 13)
  • 15.3 Coastal Arid Savannas (Ecoregion 14)
  • 15.4 Faunal Composition of Arid Savannas
  • References
  • 16 The Namib Desert Biome
  • 16.1 The Age and Evolution of the Namib Desert
  • 16.2 Landscapes and Soils
  • 16.3 Climate: The South Atlantic Anticyclone, the Benguela Current and Wind
  • 16.4 Floristic Composition and Physiognomy of the Angolan Namib Desert Ecoregion
  • 16.5 Faunal Composition of the Namib Desert
  • References.
  • 17 The Mangrove Biome
  • 17.1 Definition and Distribution
  • 17.2 Floristic Composition and Physiognomy
  • 17.2.1 Mangrove Adaptations to Waterlogged Soil
  • 17.2.2 Adaptations to Changes in Salinity
  • 17.2.3 Reproductive Adaptations
  • 17.2.4 Seagrass Meadows
  • 17.3 Faunal Composition of Mangrove and Seagrass Meadow Ecosystems
  • References
  • 18 The Angolan Escarpment Zone
  • 18.1 Sectors of the Angolan Escarpment Zone
  • 18.2 Sectors of the Angolan Escarpment Zone
  • 18.3 Vertebrate Fauna of the Escarpment Zone
  • References
  • Part V Synopsis and Conclusions
  • 19 Key Elements of Angolan Terrestrial Ecology
  • 19.1 The Big Picture: Global Tectonic and Climatic Forces that Have Shaped Angola's Biomes and Biota
  • 19.2 Contemporary Drivers of Ecosystem Structure and Function in Angola
  • 19.3 Ecological Patterns at African and Angolan Scales
  • 19.4 Patterns at Landscape Scale in Angola
  • 19.5 Ecological Concepts and Theories Relevant to Conserving Angolan Species
  • 19.6 Conclusions: Why Ecology? An Opportunity for Young Angolan Students
  • References
  • Correction to: General Concepts in Ecology
  • Correction to: Chapter 9 in: B. J. Huntley, Ecology of Angola, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18923-4_9
  • Appendix Names of Vertebrate Species Mentioned in This Volume
  • References
  • -4pt- Glossary of Ecological Terms.

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