Only in Africa: The Ecology of Human Evolution
Cambridge University Press
Edition: New, 10/7/2021
EAN 9781108832595, ISBN10: 1108832598
Hardcover, 350 pages, 24.8 x 17.1 x 2.5 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
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.
Preface
Foreword
List of abbreviations
Part I. The physical cradle
Land forms, geology, climate, hydrology and soils
1. High Africa
Eroding surfaces
2. Climate
Rainfall seasonality
3. Water in rivers, lakes and wetlands
4. Bedrock geology
Volcanic influences
5. Soils
Foundations of fertility
Part II. The savanna garden
Grassy vegetation and plant dynamics
6. Forms of savannah
7. How savanna trees and grasses grow and compete
8. Plant demography and dynamics
Fire traps
9. Paleo-savannas
Expanding grasslands
Part III. The big mammal menagerie
Herbivores, carnivores and their ecosystem impacts
10. Niche distinctions
resources versus risks
11. Big fierce carnivores
Hunting versus scavenging
12. Herbivore abundance
Bottom-up and top-down
13. How large herbivores transform savanna ecosystems
14. Paleo-faunas
Rise and fall of the biggest grazers
Part IV. Evolutionary transitions
From primate ancestors to modern humans
15. Primate predecessors
From trees to ground
16. Primate ecology
From forests into savannas
17. How an ape became a hunter
18. Cultural evolution
From tools to art and genes
19. Reticulate evolution through turbulent times
20. Prospects for a lonely planet
Index.