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.

Addresses central questions of biodiversity research Contains numerous color illustrations Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
1 Why Study Inselbergs?.- 2 Inselbergs: Geomorphology and Geoecology.- 3 Xeric Islands: Environmental Conditions on Inselbergs.- 4 Islands on Islands: Habitats on Inselbergs.- 5 Algae, Fungi, and Lichens on Inselbergs.- 6 Bryophytes.- 7 Vascular Plants on Inselbergs: Systematic Overview.- 8 Vascular Plants on Inselbergs: Vegetative and Reproductive Strategies.- 9 Ecophysiology of Vascular Plants on Inselbergs.- 10 Variations on One Theme: Regional Floristics of Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.1 West African Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.2 East and Southeast Africa.- 10.3 The Arid Scenario: Inselbergs in the Namib Desert Are Rich Oases in a Poor Matrix (Namibia and South Africa).- 10.4 Vegetation of Malagasy Inselbergs.- 10.5 Seychelles.- 10.6 Flora and Vegetation of Inselbergs of Venezuelan Guayana.- 10.7 The Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana).- 10.8 Southeast Brazil.- 10.9 Floristics of Australian Granitoid Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.10 Flora and Vegetation of Granite Outcrops in the Southeastern United States.- 11 Phytogeography.- 12 Factors Controlling Species Richness of Inselbergs..- 13 The Fauna of Inselbergs.- 14 Human Dimensions and Conservation.- 15 Biodiversity of Terrestrial Habitat Islands the Inselberg Evidence.- Species Index.