Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation: The Freshwater Fish of Tropical Africa

by Christian Lévêque

Overview

In order for biodiversity to be conserved, it is important to know how and where diverse populations of plants and animals exist, to understand the effects of human impacts on them, and to find the means by which these impacts can be lessened and even reversed. While tropical systems are known to be among the most diverse and most threatened globally, tropical freshwater systems have been neglected, and the tremendous variety of fish, amphibians, invertebrates and plants that live in them are poorly known yet seriously threatened. This comprehensive book brings together a wealth of information on the fish of tropical African systems, and discusses how these systems evolved, what holds them together, and what is tearing them apart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521031974
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/23/2006
Pages:	456
Product dimensions:	7.36(w) x 9.69(h) x 0.94(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction; Acknowledgements; Part I. The Diversity of African Freshwater Fish: 1. The diversity and variability of freshwater ecosystems in tropical Africa; 2. The fish fauna of Africa; 3. Genetic diversity and mechanisms of speciation; Part II. The Past as a Key to Understanding the Present: 4. Species diversity: evolution at work; 5. Classification of diversity; 6. Chance and challenge in a changing environment; Part III. The Diverse Lifestyles of African Freshwater Fish: 7. Diversity of growth and feeding behaviours; 8. Diversity of reproductive strategies and life histories; 9. Diversity of responses to environmental constraints; Part IV. Dynamics of Fish Assemblages: 10. Fish assemblages in tropical Africa; 11. Equilibrium processes of species richness and diversity; 12. Diversity of habitats, temporal change and assemblage dynamics; 13. Fish diversity and ecosystem functioning; Part V. Conservation of Biodiversity: 14. The threats to fish biodiversity; 15. The economic role of fish biodiversity; 16. Conservation options; Bibliography; Species index; Subject index.