Landscapes and Landforms of Namibia (World Geomorphological Landscapes)

The landscapes of Namibia are of world-class quality in beauty, diversity and interest. This book provides the first ever overview of the most important of these landscapes, explains why they look as they do, and evaluates why they are of note. Writing from a geomorphological perspective, the authors introduce the key processes and controls which influence landscape and landform development in Namibia. Geological and tectonic background, climate now and in the past, vegetation and animals (including humans) are all identified as crucial factors influencing the landscape of Namibia today. The book presents twenty one richly-illustrated case studies of the most significant landscapes of Namibia, ranging from the iconic Etosha Pan at the heart of the biggest wildlife conservation area in the north, to the famous dunes and ephemeral river at Sossus Vlei in the heart of the Namib desert. Each case study also contains a full list of the key references to the scientific work on that landscape. The authors provide an assessment of the current state of conservation of these landscapes, and their importance to tourism. The book is recommended reading for anyone with a professional or amateur interest in the spectacular and intriguing landscapes of this part of southern Africa. It provides a useful handbook for those travelling around Namibia, and an invaluable reference guide for those interested in how landscapes develop and change. Professor Andrew Shaw Goudie is a geographer at the University of Oxford specialising in desert geomorphology, dust storms, weathering and climatic change in the tropics. He has also known for his teaching and textbooks on human impacts on the environment. He is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of many books and papers. He has received many awards for his work. He is also Director of the China Centre in Oxford (from January 2011) and President of the British Institute in Eastern Africa (from November 2011). Professor Heather A. Viles is a geographer with major interests in geomorphology and heritage science. Much of her research focuses on the application of science to heritage conservation. She is currently Professor of Biogeomorphology and Heritage Conservation, having previously been a University Lecturer and then Reader in the University of Oxford. She is a Fellow of Worcester College and a lecturer at St Hilda’s College. She is also an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand. She obtained an MA in Geography from the University of Cambridge and a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford. Her Ph.D. thesis focused on the role of microorganisms in weathering limestone and was based on fieldwork on Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. After completing her Ph.D., she undertook post-doctoral research on the contribution of acid rain to the deterioration of English cathedrals. Prof. Viles was awarded a 650th anniversary Gold Medal, by Charles University, Prague (1998) for her contributions to international research collaboration in geomorphology.