African Savannas: Global Narratives & Local Knowledge of Environmental Change

Images of degradation and chaos predominate many scholarly and popular conceptions of the African environment. This interdisciplinary collection uses collaborative research from the major savanna regions that stretch across Africa to challenge these notions. It argues that the interpretation of landscapes requires a consideration of the unique political and ecological practices in Africa. The image of environment and society in African savannas cultivated by this book is one of innovation, resilience, and spatial and temporal variability. It is an image that stresses the vitality and importance of local African knowledge for understanding environmental change. Accessibly written, this collection will appeal to general readers concerned about ecological issues in Africa. However, environmental policy makers, international aid donors, NGOs and grassroots activists will also find the book timely, pertinent and useful.