Ecological Systems of the Geobiosphere : 2 Tropical and Subtropical Zonobiomes

In Volume 1 of this four-volume series, ecological problems of a general nature were discussed from a global point of view. Familiarity with this is essential for a full understanding of the more specialized treatment in this and subsequent volumes, for no similar approach is to be found in other ecological handbooks for beginners. This present volume deals in detail with the special ecological relation­ ships of the tropical and subtropical zonobiomes I to III. Most ecologists proceed from the basis of their experience in the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. As a result, many ecological writings show a certain one-sidedness and there is a danger that generalizations made will not be broadly applicable. To avoid this, particular emphasis is laid, in this vol­ urne, on the special ecological features and the characteristics of the trop­ ical and subtropical regions. More specifically, we deal not only with the relationship of the euclimatope to zonal soils and zonal vegetation, but also pay attention to azonal conditions shown in pedobiomes and in the altitudinal belts of mountains, the orobiomes. In this and the subsequent volumes the same simple scheme is followed in treating each zonobiome: 1. climate; 2. soils; 3. producers; 4. consum­ ers; 5. decomposers; 6. ecosystems; 7. sub division into biomes; 8. oro­ biomes; 9. pedobiomes and 10. zonoecotones. Where it has appeared expedient, however, we have occasionally deviated from this scheme (see Deserts D, F, G and H). Front Matter....Pages N2-XIV Front Matter....Pages 1-2 Climatic Conditions....Pages 3-14 The Soils....Pages 14-19 Producers....Pages 19-54 Consumers....Pages 54-57 Decomposers....Pages 57-58 The Ecosystems of Zonobiome I....Pages 58-66 An Attempted Subdivision of Zonobiome I into Eubiomes....Pages 66-67 Equatorial Orobiome I....Pages 68-99 The Pedobiome of Zonobiome I....Pages 99-104 The Zonoecotones....Pages 104-107 Front Matter....Pages 109-110 Climatic Conditions....Pages 111-112 Soil Conditions....Pages 112-117 Producers....Pages 117-147 The Consumers....Pages 147-150 The Decomposers....Pages 150-152 Ecosystems Within ZB II....Pages 152-161 Provisional Subdivision of Zonobiome II into Eubiomes....Pages 161-161 Orobiome II....Pages 162-172 The Pedobiomes of Zonobiomes I and II....Pages 172-199 Zonoecotone II/III....Pages 199-214 Front Matter....Pages 215-216 Climatic Conditions....Pages 217-219 Desert Soils....Pages 220-223 The Producers....Pages 223-227 The Consumers....Pages 227-227 Sonoran Desert....Pages 228-261 The Peruvian-Chilean Desert....Pages 262-273 The Namib Fog Desert in Southern Africa....Pages 274-315 The Karoo in South Africa....Pages 316-329 The Arid Regions of Australia....Pages 330-365 The Sahara with Egypt....Pages 366-396 Arabian Peninsula....Pages 397-402 Sinai Peninsula and Negev Desert....Pages 403-422 Back Matter....Pages 423-466