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Africa is not known as one of the more densely populated continents. Yet, the damaging marks of man's activities may be seen there dramatically. Many of Africa's ecological zones are fragile. Large scale soil erosion, resul tant cycles of drought and flash floods, downgrading of fauna and flora are well-known to many in general ways, as well as from detailed examination of a few areas. But large parts of Africa remain inaccessible. Very few students of Africa have the opportunity - or the tenacity - to travel over these vast areas or into the hidden corners that lie beyond the well-known routes of Africa. As FAO's Regional Wildlife and National Parks Officer for Africa, ANTooN DE Vos had the opportunity of travelling widely and studying and reporting on the acceleration of man-made changes in much of the continent. As an experienced practitioner of an important and difficult science, ecology, he has made a significant professional contribution with this book. It is our hope that those who read it will be encouraged to carryon the important work and the concern with this subject to which Dr. DE Vos has devoted so much of his knowledge, energy and personal commitments.
List of contents
Foreword.- I. The African environment.- Geology.- Geography.- Phytogeography.- Zoogeography.- Climate.- Soils.- Vegetation types.- II. Ecological zones of Africa.- The use of ecosystems by man.- The ecosystem concept.- The savanna environment, an example of a man-influenced ecosystem.- The Guinean zone.- The Sudanian zone.- The Sahelian zone.- The Saharian zone.- The Mediterranean zone.- The Eastern zone.- The Zambezian zone.- The Transvalian zone.- The Basutolian zone.- The Kalaharian zone.- The Karroo-Namaqualian zone.- The Cape zone.- III. Man as an environmental agent.- Primitive man's influence on the environment.- Modern man's influence on the environment.- IV. Specific environmental problems.- Nomadism and consequences of sedentarization.- Marginal lands.- The problem of desertification.- The invasion of Africa by plants and animals.- The preservation of endangered species.- The need for preservation of natural vegetation.- The need for national parks or equivalent reserves.- Animal influences on the grassland environment.- Wetlands, estuaries and mangrove swamps.- The pesticide problem.- Land tenure problems.- V. Problems, needs and potentials in land use.- Agriculture.- Range and pasture management.- Animal husbandry.- Forestry.- Inland fisheries.- Wildlife.- Soil and water conservation.- Food, health and nutrition.- VI. Planning for the future.- The need for regional planning.- Ecological considerations in land use planning.- Industrial development.- Planning for development: a positive approach to more efficient land use.- Literature cited.
