The Karoo: Ecological Patterns and ProcessesW. Richard J. Dean, Suzanne Milton The succulent and Nama-karoo form part of the arid south-western zone of Africa, a vast region of rugged landscapes and low treeless vegetation. Studies of this unique biome have yielded fascinating insights into the ecology of its flora and fauna. This book, originally published in 1999, is the first to synthesise these studies, presenting information on biogeographic patterns and life processes, form and function of animals and plants, foraging ecology, landscape-level dynamics and anthropogenic influences. Detailed analyses of the factors distinguishing the biota of the Karoo from that of other temperate deserts are given and generalisations about semi-arid ecosystems challenged. The ideas expounded, the ecological principles reviewed, and the results presented are relevant to all those working in the extensive arid and semi-arid regions of the world. |
Other editions - View all
The Karoo: Ecological Patterns and Processes W. Richard J. Dean,Suzanne Milton No preview available - 2009 |
The Karoo: Ecological Patterns and Processes W. Richard J. Dean,Suzanne Milton No preview available - 1999 |
Common terms and phrases
abundance adaptations animals annual rainfall areas Asteraceae availability behaviour biomes birds Cape capensis Chihuahuan Desert climate communities Cowling Dean density dispersal distribution diversity dominated drought dynamics eastern karoo Ecology ecosystems endemic Esler fauna flora flowering forage fynbos geophytes germination Gess grasses grassland grazing growth form habitat herbivores Hilton-Taylor Hoffman hyrax increase insects Kalahari karoo biomes korhaan land landscape livestock locust Louw Lovegrove mammals Mesembryanthema Milton moisture N-N Domain Nama-karoo Namaqualand Namib Desert non-succulent nutrient occur Orange River ostrich patches patterns perennial period plant species pollination population predators production Pteronia rain range rangeland rates region relatively reproductive rodents Rooyen Roux Ruschia savanna season seed seedbank seedlings semi-arid shrubland shrubs Skinner soil South Africa South African Journal southern Africa southern karoo spatial springbok succulent karoo summer surface temperatures termites tion vegetation Werger Whitford winter winter-rainfall Yeaton