Only in Africa

The Ecology of Human Evolution

Norman Owen-Smith

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN:
  9781108832595
• eBook ISBN:
  9781108963329
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Evolution
• Index: Biological Sciences

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.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Title page
• Copyright information
• Dedication
• Contents
• Foreword
• Preface
• List of Abbreviations
• Part I The Physical Cradle: Land Forms, Geology, Climate, Hydrology and Soils
• Part I Synthesis: Structure of the Physical Cradle
• Part II The Savanna Garden: Grassy Vegetation and Plant Dynamics
• Part II Synthesis: Savanna Structure and Dynamics
• Part III The Big Mammal Menagerie: Herbivores, Carnivores and Their Ecosystem Impacts
• Part III Synthesis: Movers of Savanna Dynamics: Grazers, Elephants and Fires
• Part IV Evolutionary Transitions: From Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans
• Appendix Scientific Names of Extant Animal and Plant Species Mentioned in the Book Chapters (Ecologically Conservative with Regard to Species Recognition)
• Index