This open access book richly illustrates the first, and comprehensive, account of the country’s biomes and ecoregions, the driving forces that account for their diversity and vulnerability, and the ecological principles that provide an understanding of the patterns and processes that have shaped landscapes, ecoregions, and ecosystems. Angola encompasses the greatest diversity of terrestrial biomes and is the second richest in terms of ecoregions, of any African country. Yet its biodiversity and the structure and functioning of its ecosystems are largely undocumented. The author draws on personal field observations from over 50 years of involvement in ecological and conservation studies in Angola and across Southern Africa. The vast recent literature published by researchers in neighboring, better resourced countries provides depth to the accounts of ecological principles and processes relevant to Angola and thus contributing to the understanding and sustainable management of its natural resources.
Author(s): Brian John Huntley
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 464
City: Cham
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
Appendix Names of Vertebrate Species Mentioned in This Volume
References
-4pt- Glossary of Ecological Terms
