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Author: Joseph Alfred Zinck Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media ISBN: 3642201385 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 308
Book Description
The Guayana Highlands in northeastern tropical America, rising from lowland rain forests and savannas up to 3000 m elevation, are characterized by ancient tablelands called tepuis. The peatlands that developed on the tepuis constitute unique and fascinating ecosystems and are the focus of this volume, which starts with an overview of tropical and subtropical peats, followed by an introduction to the geo-ecological features of the Guayana region as a whole, with special emphasis on the diversity of the vegetation cover from lowlands to uplands to highlands. The core subject centers on the properties and dating of the peat deposits and the interpretation of the chronological record in terms of past environmental changes. The well illustrated book will appeal to a broad range of scientists interested in tropical highland peats, including quaternarists, soil scientists, geomorphologists, geographers, geologists, ecologists, botanists, hydrologists, conservationists, and land use planners.
Author: Joseph Alfred Zinck Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media ISBN: 3642201385 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 308
Book Description
The Guayana Highlands in northeastern tropical America, rising from lowland rain forests and savannas up to 3000 m elevation, are characterized by ancient tablelands called tepuis. The peatlands that developed on the tepuis constitute unique and fascinating ecosystems and are the focus of this volume, which starts with an overview of tropical and subtropical peats, followed by an introduction to the geo-ecological features of the Guayana region as a whole, with special emphasis on the diversity of the vegetation cover from lowlands to uplands to highlands. The core subject centers on the properties and dating of the peat deposits and the interpretation of the chronological record in terms of past environmental changes. The well illustrated book will appeal to a broad range of scientists interested in tropical highland peats, including quaternarists, soil scientists, geomorphologists, geographers, geologists, ecologists, botanists, hydrologists, conservationists, and land use planners.
Author: Stewart McPherson Publisher: ISBN: Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 406
Book Description
The tablelands of the Guiana Highlands are among the most spectacular yet least explored mountains of our world. Each is an immense sandstone plateau known locally as a `tepui' that is encircled on all sides by gigantic vertical cliffs up to 1,000 metres tall. The summits of these unique mountains have remained isolated for millions of years, and today harbour plants, animals and landscapes that occur nowhere else on Earth. This work examines the story of the discovery and exploration of these remarkable mountains and considers the unique plants, animals and landscapes atop of these mysterious lost worlds. The introductory chapters of Lost Worlds outline the remarkable processes that led to the formation of the tepuis of the Guiana Highlands. The following chapter, The Discovery and Exploration of the Guiana Highlands, first reviews the Amerindian presence around, and perceptions of, the tepuis prior to the arrival of Europeans, and then moves to the discovery and description of these tablelands by Europeans from the 16th Century to the exploration of Mount Roraima early in the 20th Century. The next chapter, Some Strange Country of Nightmares provides an overview of the remarkable physical landscape of the summits of the tepuis with a focus on some of the most surprising geological features that are found on the plateau tops and in the nearby lowlands. The following chapter, Islands Above the Clouds, examines the unique evolutionary and ecological processes that have shaped and now give character to the biological landscapes of the tepui summits. The next chapter, Life Above the Clouds, looks at the remarkable diversity of organisms found on the summits of the tepuis and the diverse ways in which plants and animals have adapted to the demanding environmental conditions that occur in these highland environments. The final chapter, As a New Century Begins, reviews the current conservation and management issues relating to the future of Guiana. Lost worlds is the first and only comprehensive study of the remarkable natural history of the tepuis of the Guiana Highlands. The strengths of this book include (1) its uniquely detailed content; (2) the 248 spectacular figures including breath taking images, maps, historical illustrations and photo (3) the very first published images of several species of tepui dwelling plants and animals in their natural habitats. Lost Worlds is up-to-date, comprehensive, focused, well illustrated, and visually beautiful. It is technically written yet is accessible to specialist and non-specialist audiences and will be a valued source of information for all interested in the natural history of the remarkable tablelands of the Guiana!
Author: Valentí Rull Publisher: Academic Press ISBN: 0128155922 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 472
Book Description
Biodiversity of Pantepui: The Pristine "Lost World" of the Neotropical Guiana Highlands provides the most updated and comprehensive knowledge on the biota, origin, and evolution of the Pantepui biogeographical province. It synthesizes historical information and recent discoveries, covering the main biogeographic patterns, evolutionary trends, and conservational efforts. Written by international experts on the biodiversity of this pristine land, this book explores what makes Pantepui a unique natural laboratory to study the origin and evolution of Neotropical biodiversity under the influence of only natural drivers. It discusses the organisms living in Pentepui, including algae, plants, several groups of invertebrates, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. The latter portion of the book delves into the effects of human activity and global warming on Pantepui, and current conservational efforts to combat these threats. Biodiversity of Pantepui is an important resource for researchers in ecology, biogeography, evolution, and conservation, who want to understand the biodiversity and natural history of this region, and how to help conserve and protect the Guiana Highlands from environmental and human damages. - Offers a climactic and ecological history of the region since the Late Glacial epoch - Discusses the evolutionary origin of the Pantepui biota and its biogeographical patterns - Led by a team of editors whose expertise includes Pantepui, the Guiana Shield, and the Neotropics in general
Author: Paul Keddy Publisher: Cambridge University Press ISBN: 1139464256 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 563
Book Description
Plants make up 99.9 percent of the world's living matter, provide food and shelter, and control the Earth's climate. The study of plant ecology is therefore essential to understanding the biological functions and processes of the biosphere. This vibrant introductory textbook integrates important classical themes with recent ideas, models and data. The book begins with the origin of plants and their role in creating the biosphere as the context for discussing plant functional types and evolutionary patterns. The coverage continues logically through the exploration of causation with chapters, amongst others, on resources, stress, competition, predation, and mutualism. The book concludes with a chapter on conservation, addressing the concern that as many as one-third of all plant species are at risk of extinction. Each chapter is enriched with striking and unusual examples of plants (e.g., stone plants, carnivorous plants) and plant habitats (e.g., isolated tropical tepui, arctic cliffs). Paul Keddy writes in a lively and thought-provoking style which will appeal to students at all levels.
Author: Ulrich Lüttge Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media ISBN: 3662033402 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 393
Book Description
This richly illustrated text covers the ecophysiology of plants of all major tropical ecosystems, from tropical rain forests, epiphytic habitats, mangroves and savannas to salinas, inselbergs and paramos and their ecophysiological adaptation to these different tropical environments. The physiognomy of biotopes and characteristic life forms of plants are depicted with photographs.
Author: David G. Frodin Publisher: Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9781139428651 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 1136
Book Description
This 2001 book provides a selective annotated bibliography of the principal floras and related works of inventory for vascular plants. The second edition was completely updated and expanded to take into account the substantial literature of the late twentieth century, and features a more fully developed review of the history of floristic documentation. The works covered are principally specialist publications such as floras, checklists, distribution atlases, systematic iconographies and enumerations or catalogues, although a relatively few more popularly oriented books are also included. The Guide is organised in ten geographical divisions, with these successively divided into regions and units, each of which is prefaced with a historical review of floristic studies. In addition to the bibliography, the book includes general chapters on botanical bibliography, the history of floras, and general principles and current trends, plus an appendix on bibliographic searching, a lexicon of serial abbreviations, and author and geographical indexes.
Author: Joachim W. Kadereit Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media ISBN: 3642186173 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 487
Book Description
In this volume, 24 flowering plant families comprising a total of 911 genera are treated. They represent the asterid order Lamiales except for Acanthaceae (including Avicenniaceae), which will be included in a later volume. Although most of the constituent families of the order have been recognized as being closely related long ago, the inclusion of the families Byblidaceae, Carlemanniaceae and Plocospermataceae is the result mainly of recent molecular systematic research. Keys for the identification of all genera are provided, and likely phylogenetic relationships are discussed extensively. To facilitate the recognition of relationships, families are cross-referenced where necessary. The wealth of information contained in this volume makes it an indispensable source for anybody in the fields of pure and applied plant sciences.
Author: Joseph Alfred Zinck
Author: Joseph Alfred Zinck
Author: Paul E. Berry
Author: Ib Friis
Author: Stewart McPherson
Author: Hans ter Steege
Author: Valentí Rull
Author: Paul Keddy
Author: Ulrich Lüttge
Author: David G. Frodin
Author: Joachim W. Kadereit