Page:Niger Delta Ecosystems- the ERA Handbook, 1998.djvu/3

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1 PROLOGUE 5
1.1 The First Edition 5
1.2 Additional Information 5
1.3 Support and Assistance 5
1.4 The Maps 6
1.5 The Figures 21
2 INTRODUCTION 30
2.1 What is ERA? 30
2.2 The ERA Philosphy 30
2.3 ERA Knowledge is Based upon Participatory Research. 32
2.4 What is Participatory Research? 33
3 WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENT? 35
3.1 Defining Ecology and Environment in Terms of the Human Landscape 35
3.2 Analysing a Landscape 36
3.3 The Human Landscape: Economic Activity and Society 38
3.4 Landscapes are Alive 39
3.5 Ecosystems 40
3.6 Terms Used in the Descriptions of Ecosystems 41
3.7 Plants and Animals in Ecosystems 42
3.8 The Dynamics of Ecosystems and Viability 43
3.9 Real Ecology: Human Society 46
4 WHAT IS THE NIGER DELTA? 48
4.1 A Unique Ecosystem 48
4.2 Relief 49
4.3 Local Climate 50
4.4 Hydrology 50
4.5 Soils 51
4.6 Natural Vegetation 56
4.7 Natural Animal Communities 56
4.8 The Natural Ecosystem 57
5 THE NATURAL LOWLAND EQUATORIAL MONSOON (LEM) ECOZONE 60
5.1 Introduction 60
5.2 Tropical Rainforest: Definition and Classification 60
5.3 Correcting Some Misconceptions About the Rainforest 61
5.4 Distribution of the Natural Tropical Rainforest Biome 63
5.5 Micro-Climate of the LEM Rainforest 64
5.6 Physical Characteristics of the LEM Rainforest 67
5.7 Diversity of Tree Forms in the LEM Rainforest 69
5.8 Biodiversity of the LEM Rainforest 71
5.9 Plant Species of the LEM Rainforest 72
5.10 Animal Species of the LEM Rainforest 75
5.11 The Sub-Ecozones of the LEM Ecozone of the Niger Delta 77
6 THE NATURAL FRESHWATER ALLUVIAL EQUATORIAL MONSOON (FAM) ECOZONE 78

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