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 2 - Climate: Rainfall Seasonality
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 seasonal variation in rainfall in different regions of Africa and explains why Africa is prevalently drier than other continents. It emphasises how regional rainfall relates to movements of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Dry season conditions span cooler months when most plant growth ceases. Rainfall fluctuates widely between years as well as shifting geometry of the Earth’s orbit and rotation. Declining levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere promoted global cooling and intensified aridity.
Keywords
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Only in AfricaThe Ecology of Human Evolution, pp. 14 - 28Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021
References
Suggested Further Reading
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