Integrative and Comparative Biology Advance Access originally published online on April 4, 2008
Integrative and Comparative Biology 2008 48(4):538-539; doi:10.1093/icb/icn017
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Book Review |
The Biology of African Savannahs (Biology of Habitat Series). Bryan Shorrocks.
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources NC State University, Box 8002, Raleigh NC 27695
Correspondence: E-mail: wgdorgel{at}unity.ncsu.edu
The Biology of African Savannahs (Biology of Habitat Series). Bryan Shorrocks.
Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2007. 268 pp. ISBN 978-0-19-857066-0 (paperback), $55.00.
Savannahs are globally important ecosystems of great significance to large mammalian species and to human economies. They are the basis of the African livestock industry and the wildlife they support is of key importance for the tourism industry. Human activities in the form of livestock grazing and the use of fire have shaped the savannahs for millennia and current high human densities have a huge impact, often to the detriment of these ecosystems.
The savannah biome is characterized by the co-dominance of trees and grasses, and covers approximately half of the African land surface. It also harbors most of the large mammals on this continent. It has become increasingly important to protect this biome and its wildlife, and as a result this book fulfills an important role as an excellent introduction to savannah ecology.
This book compares the savannah biome on different continents, illustrating why savannahs are found in these regions. In particular, the influence of climate is well illustrated. The book further explores the important interactions between the soils, rainfall, vegetation, fire, and herbivores that shape the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of this ecosystem. Many case studies are referenced to illustrate these interactions, and assist in the understanding of the ecology of savannahs. The savannah is one of the few biomes where many of these driving forces are at work. Good examples of these processes can be researched in large protected areas. It is therefore crucial to maintain these protected areas to serve as a baseline and as an early warning system. A functional ecosystem will furthermore assist in understanding and restoring disturbed areas.
A considerable part of the book is dedicated to a description of the plant and animals species found in the different regions of Africa. These species are not covered in much detail and therefore the book cannot be used as a field guide but it does give a helpful overview of the taxonomy and conservation status of these species.
A valuable component of the book is the description of vegetation dynamics, as well as single and multi-species wildlife populations. Chapters covering these topics comprehensively describe vegetation patterns, wildlife populations, factors influencing population size, interactions between plants and herbivores, prey and predators, and parasites and hosts, as well as resource competition. This updated compilation of information enhances the understanding of the ecology of savannahs without going into the detailed population dynamics and modeling theories found in some other textbooks.
Most research on savannah ecology has been conducted in eastern and southern Africa and the author has sourced and summarized a comprehensive list of literature on this topic from these regions. This includes the well-known work by Norton-Griffiths in the Serengeti, the case studies from the Kruger National Park, and the most recent studies in savannah ecology. A shortcoming of the book is the limited information on the Guinean, Sudanian, and Sahelian savannahs in West Africa, the Miombo woodlands in central southern Africa, and the arid savannahs in southwestern Africa. It is recognized, however, that fewer studies have been conducted in these regions and the information is usually not easily accessible. In addition, the author did not include the intensely studied savannah of the Nylsvley area in South Africa which serves as a key source of information and theory relating to processes in the savannah ecosystem. Furthermore, some of the models described, although valuable and used to illustrate points, were often too divergent in scope and at times disconnected within the general theme of the book.
In summary, the strength of "The Biology of African Savannahs" is its wide coverage of the topic, making it a valuable and informative introduction to savannah ecology. Written in an uncomplicated way, the text is augmented with many graphs and illustrations. The book provides a useful reference of many aspects of savannah ecology and is highly recommended for students, scientists, and managers of rangelands and of African wildlife.
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