Book contents
- Only in Africa
- Only in Africa
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Part I The Physical Cradle: Land Forms, Geology, Climate, Hydrology and Soils
- Chapter 1 High Africa: Eroding Surfaces
- Chapter 2 Climate: Rainfall Seasonality
- Chapter 3 Water in Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands
- Chapter 4 Bedrock Geology: Volcanic Influences
- Chapter 5 Soils: Foundations of Fertility
- Part I Synthesis: Structure of the Physical Cradle
- Part II The Savanna Garden: Grassy Vegetation and Plant Dynamics
- Part III The Big Mammal Menagerie: Herbivores, Carnivores and Their Ecosystem Impacts
- 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
- References
Chapter 3 - Water in Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands
from Part I - The Physical Cradle: Land Forms, Geology, Climate, Hydrology and Soils
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 September 2021
Book contents
- Only in Africa
- Only in Africa
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Part I The Physical Cradle: Land Forms, Geology, Climate, Hydrology and Soils
- Chapter 1 High Africa: Eroding Surfaces
- Chapter 2 Climate: Rainfall Seasonality
- Chapter 3 Water in Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands
- Chapter 4 Bedrock Geology: Volcanic Influences
- Chapter 5 Soils: Foundations of Fertility
- Part I Synthesis: Structure of the Physical Cradle
- Part II The Savanna Garden: Grassy Vegetation and Plant Dynamics
- Part III The Big Mammal Menagerie: Herbivores, Carnivores and Their Ecosystem Impacts
- 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
- References
Summary
This chapter describes Africa’s rivers and lakes and outlines how rivers have changed their courses and lakes formed and dried in response to tectonic movements. Water flow in Africa’s rivers fluctuates widely as a consequence of low and seasonal rainfall. Africa has both deep and shallow lakes in rift valleys as well as extensive wetlands, with widely varying water levels. Temporary pools formed in pan depressions are important sources of drinking water for wildlife. All of the rivers flowing through High Africa can be readily crossed in their upper reaches during low flow in the dry season.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Only in AfricaThe Ecology of Human Evolution, pp. 29 - 38Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021
References
Suggested Further Reading
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Walling, DE. (1996). Hydrology and rivers. In Adams, WM, et al. (eds) The Physical Geography of Africa. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 103–121.Google Scholar
References
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