The Karoo


Book Description

The succulent and Nama-karoo form part of the arid south-western zone of Africa, a vast region of rugged landscapes and low treeless vegetation. Studies of this unique biome have yielded fascinating insights into the ecology of its flora and fauna. This book, originally published in 1999, is the first to synthesise these studies, presenting information on biogeographic patterns and life processes, form and function of animals and plants, foraging ecology, landscape-level dynamics and anthropogenic influences. Detailed analyses of the factors distinguishing the biota of the Karoo from that of other temperate deserts are given and generalisations about semi-arid ecosystems challenged. The ideas expounded, the ecological principles reviewed, and the results presented are relevant to all those working in the extensive arid and semi-arid regions of the world.




Studies in the Economic History of Southern Africa


Book Description

First Published in 1990. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.




Quaternary Environmental Change in Southern Africa


Book Description

This book provides a benchmark study of southern African landscape evolution during the Quaternary, for researchers, professionals and policymakers.




Global Application of Prescribed Fire


Book Description

Global Application of Prescribed Fire provides a first-hand perspective of the various methods and ways people around the world view and use prescribed fire. It covers the logistics, constraints and social dynamics surrounding the intentional use and application of fire by humans, and demonstrates how, why, when and where prescribed fire is used in different regions. Written by international experts, the book has four key objectives: explore new techniques, ideas and thoughts on how to apply prescribed fire from a global perspective; provide regional case studies covering issues that may constrain or enhance prescribed fire projects; stimulate cross-cultural conversations about how fires function in ecosystems; and relate prescribed fire to wildfire regimes with implications for protecting life and property, as well as sustaining local fire cultures and unique fire-dependent flora and fauna. Global Application of Prescribed Fire enhances our understanding and knowledge about the application of prescribed fire. This comprehensive book will provide fire practitioners, researchers, agencies and policymakers with key ecological and managerial insight of how prescribed fires are conducted around the globe.




Index of NLM Serial Titles


Book Description

A keyword listing of serial titles currently received by the National Library of Medicine.




The Economics of Estuary Restoration in South Africa


Book Description

This book examines the economic costs and benefits of the ecological restoration of estuaries, utilizing case studies from South Africa. Estuaries are important ecosystems from both an ecological and human perspective. Yet, in many parts of the world they are often degraded environments, facing threats from climate change, invasive species, fire and wastewater pollution. While the environmental benefits of restoring degraded environments are well discussed, this book specifically examines the economic benefits of doing so. It applies a cost-benefit analysis, which focuses on a range of key ecosystem services, including human health, fishing value, recreational value and property value. The book utlizes three detailed studies of the Swartkops estuary, the Great Brak estuary and the Knysna estuary in South Africa, but also draws out lessons that can be applied to coastal environments across the world. Overall, this book demonstrates that ecological restoration does pay and that the value of additional ecosystem services gained through restoration far exceeds the costs associated with this restoration process. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of environmental management and restoration, ecological economics, ecosystem services and environmental conservation.




Routledge Handbook of African Social Work Education


Book Description

This timely Routledge Handbook creates a much-needed space to explore what makes social work uniquely African, as well as shaping, informing, and influencing a new culturally relevant era of social work. The specific focus on social work education offers approaches to transition away from the hegemony of Western literature, knowledge, and practice models underpinning African social work education. The authors identify what is relevant and meaningful to inform, influence, and reconceptualise culturally relevant social work curriculum. Covering Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, the Handbook comprises both empirical and conceptual chapters, multiple approaches, case studies, and key debates on social work education. It is structured in four parts: • Approaches to Indigenising, Decolonising and Developing Culturally Relevant Social Work Education • Social Work Education: Evolution across Contexts • Embedding Field Practicum into Social Work Education • Knowledge Exchange between the Global South and Global North. The range of indigenous, local knowledge that the Handbook presents is crucial to social work evolving and facilitating for reciprocal learning and knowledge exchange between the Global South and Global North. Whilst the context of the Handbook is Africa, the topics covered are relevant to a global audience engaged in social justice work across social work, social welfare, social development, and sustainability.