Inselbergs are isolated rock outcrops that stand out abruptly from surrounding plains. Despite the widespread occurrence of granite inselbergs throughout all climatic and vegetational zones, their remarkably rich plant life was largely neglected in the recent literature.
This richly and partly in color illustrated volume provides a detailed survey of all major abiotic and biotic features characteristic for inselbergs. The extreme environmental conditions on inselbergs are described in depth as well as specific adaptive traits of rock outcrop plants including their morphological, anatomical and physiological responses. The diversity and structure of inselberg plant communities are examined on a global scale with detailed regional accounts for different tropical and temperate zones.

Inhalt

1 Why Study Inselbergs?.- 1.1 Inselbergs - Model Ecosystems for Biodiversity Studies.- 1.2 Perspectives of Inselberg Research.- 1.3 Linking Inselberg Research to Other Ecosystems.- References.- 2 Inselbergs: Geomorphology and Geoecology.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Diversity of Forms and Terminology.- 2.3 Genesis of Inselbergs.- 2.4 Ayers Rock.- 2.5 Microforms and Substrata - Examples from the Côte d'lvoire.- 2.6 Discussion.- References.- 3 Xeric Islands: Environmental Conditions on Inselbergs.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 The Study of Microclimate on Inselbergs in the Côte d'lvoire.- 3.3 Conclusions.- References.- 4 Islands on Islands: Habitats on Inselbergs.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Habitat Types on Inselbergs.- 4.3 Floristic Affinities to Other Rock Outcrop Ecosystems.- References.- 5 Algae, Fungi, and Lichens on Inselbergs.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Algae.- 5.3 Fungi.- 5.4 Lichens.- 5.5 Habitat Separation.- 5.6 Ecophysiology.- 5.7 Conclusion.- References.- 6 Bryophytes.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Floristic Diversity.- 6.3 Habitats.- 6.4 Structural Adaptations.- 6.5 Dispersal.- 6.6 Distribution.- 6.7 Comparison with Flowering Plants.- References.- 7 Vascular Plants on Inselbergs: Systematic Overview.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Data Availability.- 7.3 Systematic Distribution and Species Numbers.- 7.4 Comparison with Vascular Epiphytes.- References.- 8 Vascular Plants on Inselbergs: Vegetative and Reproductive Strategies.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Adaptational Aspects of Plant Life-and Growth-Forms on Inselbergs.- 8.3 Reproductive Strategies.- 8.4 Plant Functional Groups and Redundancy in the Vegetation of Inselbergs.- References.- 9 Ecophysiology of Vascular Plants on Inselbergs.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Environmental Factors as Stressors.- 9.3 Adaptation of Inselberg Plants to Scarcity of Water.- 9.4 Adaptation of High Irradiance and Temperatures.- 9.5 Adaptation to Deficiency of Mineral Nutrients: Carnivorous Plants.- 9.6 Modes of Photosynthesis in Plants of Mt. Angavokely (Central High Plateau of Madagascar).- 9.7 Conclusions.- References.- 10 Variations on One Theme: Regional Floristics of Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.1 West African Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.1.1 Geography and Geology.- 10.1.2 Climate.- 10.1.3 Vegetation.- 10.1.4 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.1.5 Life-Forms and Ecological Adaptations.- 10.1.6 Systematic and Ecological Affinities.- 10.1.7 Phytogeography and Endemism.- References.- 10.2 East and Southeast Africa.- 10.2.1 Geography and Geology.- 10.2.2 Climate.- 10.2.3 Vegetation.- 10.2.4 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.2.5 Life-Forms.- 10.2.6 Vegetative Adaptations.- 10.2.7 Reproductive Adaptations.- 10.2.8 Systematic and Ecological Characteristics.- 10.2.9 Biogeography, Endemism, and Speciation.- References.- 10.3 The Arid Scenario: Inselbergs in the Namib Desert Are Rich Oases in a Poor Matrix (Namibia and South Africa).- 10.3.1 Geography and Geology.- 10.3.2 Geomorphological Features.- 10.3.3 Soils.- 10.3.4 Climate.- 10.3.5 Flora, Vegetation, and Life-Forms.- 10.3.6 Human Impact and Conservation.- 10.3.7 Research Needs.- References.- 10.4 Vegetation of Malagasy Inselbergs.- 10.4.1 Introduction.- 10.4.2 Geography and Geology.- 10.4.3 Climate.- 10.4.4 Vegetation.- 10.4.5 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.4.6 Systematic Characteristics.- 10.4.7 Life-Forms and Adaptations.- 10.4.8 Biogeography and Endemism.- 10.4.9 Considerations upon Diversity.- References.- 10.5 Seychelles.- 10.5.1 Introduction.- 10.5.2 Geography and Geology.- 10.5.3 Climate.- 10.5.4 Vegetation of the Granitic Islands.- 10.5.5 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.5.6 Life-Forms and Adaptations.- 10.5.7 Systematic and Ecological Characteristics.- 10.5.8 Biogeography and Endemism.- 10.5.9 Conservation.- References.- 10.6 Flora and Vegetation of Inselbergs of Venezuelan Guayana.- 10.6.1 Geography and Geology.- 10.6.2 Climate.- 10.6.3 Vegetation of Venezuela.- 10.6.4 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.6.5 Life-Forms and Adaptations.- 10.6.6 Systematic Characteristics.- 10.6.7 Biogeography and Endemism.- 10.6.8 Appendix.- References.- 10.7 The Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana).- 10.7.1 Introduction.- 10.7.2 Geography and Geology.- 10.7.3 Climate.- 10.7.4 Vegetation of the Guianas.- 10.7.5 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.7.6 Life-Forms and Adaptations.- 10.7.7 Systematic and Ecological Characteristics.- 10.7.8 Biogeography and Endemism.- 10.7.9 Conclusion.- References.- 10.8 Southeast Brazil.- 10.8.1 Introduction.- 10.8.2 Geography.- 10.8.3 Geology and Palaeoclimatology.- 10.8.4 Modern Climate.- 10.8.5 Vegetation of Southeastern Brazil.- 10.8.6 Inselberg Vegetation of Southeastern Brazil.- 10.8.7 Life-Forms and Adaptations.- 10.8.8 Systematics.- 10.8.9 Biogeography and Endemism.- 10.8.10 Summary.- 10.8.11 Postscript.- References.- 10.9 Floristics of Australian Granitoid Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.9.1 Introduction.- 10.9.2 Geography and Geology.- 10.9.3 Flora, Climate, and Vegetation.- 10.9.4 Inselberg Vegetation - Life-Forms, Adaptations, Systematics.- 10.9.5 Biogeography, Endemism, and Speciation.- 10.9.6 Biodiversity of Australian Inselbergs.- References.- 10.10 Flora and Vegetation of Granite Outcrops in the Southeastern United States.- 10.10.1 Geography and Geology.- 10.10.2 Climate.- 10.10.3 Zonal Vegetation.- 10.10.4 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.10.5 Life-Forms and Adaptations.- 10.10.6 Systematic and Ecological Characteristics.- 10.10.7 Biogeography and Endemism/Speciation.- 10.10.8 Appendix.- References.- 11 Phytogeography.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Systematic Composition of Inselberg Florulae.- 11.3 General Tendencies in Distribution Patterns.- 11.4 Endemism.- 11.5 Influence of Regional Diversity.- 11.6 Influence of Paleogeography and Paleoclimate.- 11.7 Speciation.- 11.8 Exotics and Weeds.- References.- 12 Factors Controlling Species Richness of Inselbergs.....- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 Species Richness of Inselbergs: the Relationship Between Local and Regional Diversity.- 12.3 Species Richness, Size, and Isolation of Inselbergs.- 12.4 Species Richness: Diversity Patterns on Inselbergs.- 12.5 Species Richness of Inselbergs: Coexistence of Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Communities.- 12.6 Conclusions.- References.- 13 The Fauna of Inselbergs.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 How Inselbergs Influence Faunal Development.- 13.3 Appendix: Animal Species Closely Associated with Inselbergs.- References.- 14 Human Dimensions and Conservation.- 14.1 Introduction.- 14.2 Cultural Aspects.- 14.3 Human Impact.- 14.4 Genetic Resources.- 14.5 Proposals for Conservation and Sustainable Use.- 14.6 Appendix.- References.- 15 Biodiversity of Terrestrial Habitat Islands - the Inselberg Evidence.- 15.1 Introduction.- 15.2 Inselbergs - an Old and Environmentally Harsh Ecosystem.- 15.3 The Importance of Cryptogams on Inselbergs.- 15.4 Adaptive Traits Towards Life on Inselbergs.- 15.5 Phytogeographical Aspects.- 15.6 Species Richness of Inselberg Plant Communities.- References.- Species Index.