Dâures — biodiversity of the Brandberg Massif, Namibia
2002; Wiley; Volume: 8; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1111/j.1610-0387.2007.06245.x-i1
ISSN1472-4642
Autores Tópico(s)Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
ResumoKirk-Spriggs, A.H. & Marais, E. (eds) (2000) Dâures — biodiversity of the Brandberg Massif, Namibia. Cimbebasia Memoir 9, National Museum of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia. 389 pp, figs, tables, one colour foldout geological map. Paperback: Price US$30.00 (plus US$5.00 postage). ISBN 0 869 76560 4. The Brandberg (burning mountain), or Dâures as the locals call it, is an impressive inselberg. Rising some 1800 m above the sun-scorched Namib coastal plain, it reaches a maximum altitude of 2537 m. It is a circular structure, some 25 km at its widest point, comprising massive granites that were emplaced in the throat of an early Cretaceous volcano. This book is an inventory of the fauna and flora of the Brandberg. Much of the data were collected in a sponsored and spirited attempt to survey this remote inselberg between 1992 and 1999. The result is a remarkable inventory — a testament to the dedication of the organizers and participants of the project. Collecting beetles in the hostile Brandberg environment is not a trivial exercise. Do not, however, expect a riveting read. Thirty-four of the book's 39 chapters are checklists, and few provide any context for their observations. Occasionally, one might encounter a statement such as: '… the ant fauna included nine species of Leptanilla Emery, probably the most diverse assemblage of this genus yet recorded from a single locality worldwide' (p. 371). Mostly, we are faced with bland lists of species, of interest to the specialist only. The introductory chapter by Kinahan, and the ones on geology and climate, are, however, of more general interest. The rationale for producing this volume is to provide information on the scientific value of the Brandberg as a basis for World Heritage listing. This is good, since the Brandberg is a global asset and is certainly worthy of special protected status. It is a great pity therefore that there is no chapter that summarizes the archaeological, geological and biological data presented in this book, and places it in a global context. Does the Brandberg have unusually high numbers of species and endemics relative to similar-sized regions in other arid lands? The only way of answering this question is to dredge through the numerous checklists, and do the analyses ourselves. I have other gripes. The reader must wait until page 92 before a locality map is encountered. The chapter on the logistical support provided by the sponsors of the expedition adds little of interest. However, do not underestimate the difficulties of inventorying plants and animals in an environment as harsh and inaccessible as the Brandberg. In this sense, this book is a triumph. The way in which the data are presented restricts the book's appeal to a select group of arid land biogeographers and specialist systematists. This is a pity.
Referência(s)