East African Ecosystems and Their Conservation [Hardcover]

East Africa is one of the most diverse and interesting tropical area on the planet. It is home not only to the last great megafaunal assemblage, but also to human populations with the highest growth rates. This book draws on the expertise of leading ecologists, each intimately familiar with a particular set of East African ecosystems, to provide the first in-depth and integrated account of the ecology, management, threats, and conservation of these diverse ecosystems. Summarizing the tremendous wealth of scientific research that has come out of East Africa in the last few decades, each chapter analyzes a given ecosystem type, taking the reader through the basics of its ecology, its historical use (and misuse) by humans, and its prospects for conservation. Throughout the book, linkages and similarities among ecosystems are emphasized, the historical and contemporary role of humans in shaping these ecosystems is considered, fundamental principles of ecology are considered, and interesting case studies are highlighted. Students and researchers in ecology, conservation biology, and environmental sciences will find this book useful in their work.

PART I: Environmental and Human History
1. Historical Ecology,D.A. Livingstone
2. Paleoecology of Humans and their Ancestors,D.A. Burney
PART II: Marine Ecosystems
3. Oceanic Ecosystems and Pelagic Fisheries,T.R. McClanahan
4. Coral Reefs and Nearshore Fisheries,T.R. McClanahan and D.O. Obura
5. Intertidal Wetlands,R.K. Ruwa
PART III: Inland-Water Ecosystems
6. Rivers and Streams,S.D. Cooper
7. Saline and Freshwater Lakes of the Kenyan Rift Valley,J.M. Melack
8. The Great Lakes,L. Kaufman, L.J. Chapman and C.A. Chapman
9. Freshwater Wetlands and Marshes,D.M. Harper and K.M. Mavuti
PART IV: Grass, Shrub, and Woodland Ecosystems
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