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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.
The book represents a multidisciplinary approach to understanding
soil–landscape–vegetation relationships and, specifically, the
ecophysiology of plant communities developing on sandy soils of
very low fertility that are subject to seasonal flooding. It
provides an overview of the white sand ecosystems within the Amazon
basin, and focuses on the forest and herbaceous (meadows)
vegetation growing on the dystrophic sandy soils of the upper Negro
and Orinoco river basins. Several chapters describe
physiographic aspects of the study area using integrated remote
sensing and in situ sampling. By doing so they attain a
comprehensive description of the origin and evolution of soils and
landscapes, an advanced classification of soils, and a mapping of
the geographic distribution of psammophilous vegetation. This
volume also provides a phytosociological classification of
extensive forested areas, and a detailed description of the
structure and diversity of little-known herbaceous formations.It
targets professionals in the fields of ecology, ecophysiology,
geomorphology, soils, vegetation, and the environmental sciences.
The information it offers may be of significant use to researchers,
protected area planners, and environmental policy makers.
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.
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.
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