Only in Africa : the ecology of human evolution / Norman Owen-Smith, University of Witwatersrand.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Owen-Smith, R. Norman, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ecology--Africa.

Ecology.

Human evolution.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 361 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2021.

Summary:

That humans originated from Africa is well-known. However, this is widely regarded as a chance outcome, dependant simply on where our common ancestor shared the land with where the great apes lived. This volume builds on from the 'Out of Africa' theory, and takes the view that it is only in Africa that the evolutionary transitions from a forest-inhabiting frugivore to savanna-dwelling meat-eater could have occurred. This book argues that the ecological circumstances that shaped these transitions are exclusive to Africa. It describes distinctive features of the ecology of Africa, with emphasis on savanna grasslands, and relates them to the evolutionary transitions linking early ape-men to modern humans. It shows how physical features of the continent, especially those derived from plate tectonics, set the foundations. This volume adequately conveys that we are here because of the distinctive features of the ecology of Africa.

Contents:

Foreword / Johan T. du Toit

Part 1. The physical cradle: Land forms, geology, climate, hydrology and soils

Part 1. Synthesis: Structure of the physical cradle

Part 2. The savanna garden: Grassy vegetation and plant dynamics

Section 2. Synthesis: Savanna structure and dynamics

Part 3. The big mammal menagerie: Herbivores, carnivores and their ecosystem impacts

Part 3. Synthesis: Movers of savanna dynamics: Grazers, elephants and fires

Part 4. Evolutionary transitions: From primate ancestors to modern humans.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 10 Sep 2021).

ISBN:

1-108-96332-3

1-108-96318-8

1-108-96164-9

OCLC:

1285167130