Ecology of Angola : : Terrestrial Biomes and Ecoregions.

• Author: Huntley, Brian John.
• Place / Publishing House: Cham : : Springer International Publishing AG,, 2023.; ©2023.
• Year of Publication: 2023
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (467 pages)

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.