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.