THE ECOLOGY OF THE FOREST/SAVANNA BOUNDARY (PROCEEDINGS OF THE IGU HUMID TROPICS COMMISSION SYMPOSIUM, VENEZUELA, 1964).
Abstract
The report is the outcome of a symposium on the ecology of the forest/savanna boundary. The papers presented at the meeting have been cut and edited so that a theme is presented rather than a series of papers. In the introduction, the problems involved in savanna classification and the ambiguity of terminology are discussed, types of savanna found in different parts of the world described, and methods of examination analysed. The section is concluded by a description of the field trip made by the Symposium members, during which many of the differences in attitude were seen in a fresh light. A second chapter is concerned with savanna/forest boundaries held stable by factors of the physical environment; here the roles of flooding and desiccation, climate, soils and geomorphology are examined. In the third chapter the authors discuss stable boundaries resulting from human action. Fire and the role of domesticated grazing animals are seen as the major factors. The subject of the fourth section is the boundary when not in equilibrium. Many factors are examined in different parts of the world including soil, wild animals, fire, palaeoclimatology and man. An evaluation is made of the use of palynological and historical data. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0671856
Entities
People
- Roland E. Randall
- Theo. L. Hills
Organizations
- McGill University