The Namib. Natural history of the ancient desert (Shell, 1987)

Title: The Namib
Subtitle: Natural history of an ancient desert
Author: Mary Seely
Publisher: Shell Oil SWA Ltd.
Swakopmund, South West Africa 1987
ISBN 0620116889 / ISBN 0-620-11688-9
Original softcover, 15 x 21 cm, 104 pages, numerous colour photos, bw-illustrations and maps

Book condition:

Good. Few traces of usage.

About: The Namib. Natural history of the ancient desert

This book is an attempt to share the excitement of the Namib Desert. It is designed to whet the appetite not to provide all the answers. For each location a few of the more noticeable aspects are pointed out and one or two features are described in greater detail. The text is designed to be read as a unit, as many things are widespread in certain areas and repetition at each site would consequently be unnecessary. Nevertheless, if you dip into the text somewhere in the middle, the index should help you to find more information on specific points which may have been raised. We hope you enjoy your explorations of the Namib and wish you an interesting journey through the various realms of this fascinating desert. People vary greatly in their response to a desert environment. Some speed through it as rapidly as possible and are horrified by the desolation and bizarre forms of life encountered there. They also find the geology grotesque and feel threatened by the unusual landscape. To those of us who appreciate more than just traditional "pretty" scenery however, the desert offers a great deal.

Content: The Namib. Natural history of the ancient desert

Geography
Age of the Namib
Climate
Conservation
Archaeology and paleontology
Biology
Mechanisms of survival
Colour
Detritus
Fog
Scientific research
Usakos to Swakopmund
Sandy beaches
Kuiseb Swakop dunes
Walvis Bay Lagoon
Walvis Bay bird sanctuary
Birds found near the Namib coast
Sandwich Harbour
!Nara
Swartbank Mountain
The Hamilton Range
Vogelfederberg
Kriess-se-rus
Ganab
Kuiseb Canyon
The Kuiseb River Bridge
Mirabib
Homeb
Birds in the vicinity of Homeb
Dunes near Homeb campsite
Tinkas Flats
Blutkoppe
Welwitschia Flats
Hills near Wlotzkasbaken
Lichens
Omaruru mouths
Salt-pans
Beach vegetation
Hills near Cape Cross
Shallow dry watercourses
Usakos to Henties Bay
Spitzkoppe
Brandberg
Ugab River
Green lichens
Huab River
Rocky ridges
Koichab River
Large Sa/so/a
Torra Bay barchans
Northern dune fields
Uniab Delta
Mesembryanthemum fields
Sa/so/a near Terrace Bay
Torra Bay to Khorixas
Sesriem Canyon
SossusVlei
Austo Rosh Pinah
Luderitz
Tenebrionid beetles
Literature
Glossary
Index