A comprehensive guide to the fishes of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River, this book offers background information on the diverse aquatic habitats of the region and on fish feeding, breeding and survival strategies. It also provides useful hints for anglers. The species entries describe each fish in detail, with key ID points and information on habits and occurrence. Each account is accompanied by a colour illustration or photograph. The book concludes with information on how best to utilise and conserve the fishes of the delta system and Chobe River. This is the only such guide to fishes of the region and will be invaluable to local and visiting fishermen, naturalists and conservationists, as well as the many tourists who visit this spectacular African paradise.
A handy, pocket-sized guide to freshwater fishes of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River. The book offers background information on the delta system, its origins and ecology as well as on traditional fishing methods in this region. Each of the 96 species entries describes the fish, giving its key ID points, and its habits, and is accompanied by a color illustration. The book concludes with information on fish habitats, feeding and breeding info, survival tactics and hints for anglers.
The authors of INLAND FISHES AND FISHERIES OF NAMIBIA are scientists with many years of experience in their fields of work and research. Some were my students when I was a Lecturer of Zoology at Stellenbosch University many years ago. Some were members of my staff here in Namibia while I was Director of Fisheries and later Executive Director (Permanent Secretary) of the MFMR. There are no other scientists cum authors better equipped for the task of offering a high quality overview covering the freshwater fishes of Namibia and related issues linked to this subject. This book is a groundbreaking, first of its kind for Namibia, a scientifically orientated record of the topic of freshwater fish in our country. However, at the same time, it has been written in such a way that it also offers a leisurely journey for the layman wishing to increase general knowledge about Namibia's freshwater fishes. Dr. Jan Jurgens, Windhoek June 2023
For fishermen, the only thing more fun than catching fish are the stories they tell about those fish . . . and the ones that got away. Nobody knows that better than Chris Santella, author of the best-selling Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die. For his latest homage to anglers, Santella invited 50 celebrated fly fishers to share their favorite fly-fishing stories based on their travels and experiences. The result is this unforgettable collection of stories that are, surprisingly enough for fishermen, true. Fifty Favorite Fly-Fishing Tales includes stories that cover the panoply of emotions— comical, poignant, inspirational, incredible, absurd. It tells of Ralph Cutter casting in complete darkness for blind catfish in the caves of Borneo, J. W. Smith boxing grizzlies to protect his tent camp in Alaska, and George Anderson fly fishing for saltwater crocodiles in Cuba. It also describes how Jean Williams, through trout fishing in the Colorado Rockies, helped to bridge the chasm between a type-A father and his neglected son. Accompanied by stunning photographs, the stories in this book reflect not only the rich experience of fly fishing but also how it can extend beyond the rivers, oceans, and fish to touch the core of our daily lives.
The definitive field guide to the birds of Botswana Here is the ultimate field guide to Botswana's stunningly diverse birdlife. Covering all 597 species recorded to date, Birds of Botswana features more than 1,200 superb color illustrations, detailed species accounts, seasonality and breeding bars, and a color distribution map for each species. Drawing on the latest regional and national data, the book highlights the best birding areas in Botswana, provides helpful tips on where and when to see key species, and depicts special races and morphs specific to Botswana. This is the first birding guide written by a Botswana-based ornithologist and the only one dedicated specifically to Botswana. Portable and easy to use, Birds of Botswana is the essential travel companion for anyone visiting this remarkable country. Covers all 597 species of birds found in Botswana, including subspecies and color variants specific to Botswana Features more than 1,200 color illustrations—with more than one illustration for species where the sexes and ages differ Includes detailed species accounts, seasonality and breeding bars, and color distribution maps Draws on the latest bird data and the expertise of leading birders in Botswana
Well over 300 freshwater fish species found in the region’s rivers; lakes and dams feature in this fully revised third edition of Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa. Updated and expanded; this definitive guide includes newly described species; the latest taxonomic changes; new photographs and illustrations; and updated distribution maps. An in-depth introduction; supported by explanatory illustrations and photographs; covers: A short history of fish science in the region. Ecoregions in which species occur. Anatomy; biology and ecology of fishes. Human impacts on fishes. Conservation status. New understanding of evolutionary relationships between different fish groups. The book also includes: Succinct descriptions of large taxonomic groups of fish; with global distribution charts. Detailed species accounts covering size; identification features; distribution; biology; ecology; conservation; and uses by humans. Full-colour illustrations and up-to-date distribution maps for each species. An invaluable tool for anglers; students and academics in the field; and conservationists. Sales points: Comprehensive guide to southern Africa’s freshwater fishes. Latest scientific information. Accurate and detailed full-colour illustrations. Highlights diagnostic features for easy identification.
This review presents summary information on 45 river and great lake basins of the world, which support inland fisheries. The information presented is drawn from published information in peer-reviewed journals as well as grey literature. Each basin summary is presented in a common format, covering the description of the fishery, estimates of catch and numbers of people engaged in the fishery, important biodiversity features and threats to the fishery. An analysis of the replacement costs of inland fish of the basin is also presented. This is expressed in terms of the water, land and greenhouse gas footprint that would arise if the inland fish that are currently produced had to be replaced with other forms of food (such as aquaculture fish, livestock or field crops).
Wetlands - swamp, marsh, bayou, tundra and bog - are places that are rarely visited and often misunderstood but they have, in fact, conspicuous roles in the physical, biological and cultural geography of the world. They are intrinsically beautiful environments where one may see the natural and essential values in the interaction of water, soil, vegetation, wildlife, and humans. Wetlands occur at the confluence of unique terrestrial, hydrological and climatic conditions that give rise to some of the most biodiverse regions of the world. They also play vital roles in the cycling and storage of key nutrients, materials and energy through the Earth?s system. A complete study of wetland environments requires the assessment of their physical and biological attributes, properties and functions of these ecosystems, and the economic, political and social aspects that mediate their use globally. A systems approach is taken throughout this book which emphasizes the interactions between these elements of wetland ecosystems. Moreover, selected case studies from across the world are used to illustrate wetland characteristics and circumstances. This book is intended to foster a greater awareness and appreciation of wetlands, promote a culture of conservation and wise management, and spread the knowledge that wetlands are important, indeed crucial, elements of the global environment. Our attempts to understand, manage and enhance wetlands in the twenty-first century are part of the larger effort to maintain a sustainable Earth. Readership: Introductory or intermediate level undergraduates taking courses on wetland environments Additional resources for this book can be found at: www.wiley.com/go/aber/wetland
This new, thoroughly updated sixth edition of Bradt’s Botswana Safari Guide remains the only full-blown, standalone guide to one of Africa’s most popular and rewarding safari destinations. This is the sole guide to focus on Botswana’s key safari locations: the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and the Northern Kalahari. Botswana’s wilderness is pristine, a virtue underpinned by governmental commitment to sustainable tourism. The Okavango Delta’s permanent waters attract year-round wildlife, including all the ‘big five’. Outside the Delta, this English-speaking country offers tremendous variety in landscapes, from the arid Kalahari to lush forests. Riverine areas harbour spectacular herds of elephants and buffalo, as well as mighty predator populations. Dusty savannahs attract hardier game such as oryx and springbok. On Makgadikgadi’s great salt pans, zebras gather in huge congregations after rain. Birdwatching is brilliant throughout. Then there’s Botswana’s rich history, from the ancient rock paintings at the Tsodilo Hills to Stone Age arrowheads on the Makgadikgadi Pans. Bradt’s Botswana Safari Guide offers detailed descriptions of many lodges, from traditional tented camps to those offering five-star luxury and top-class cuisine, plus detail on what animals occur where, enabling you to select the optimum approach. With this book’s comprehensive GPS co-ordinates and detailed maps, independent travellers can drive themselves around. But perhaps you prefer bespoke mobile safaris with a private guide? Either way, take a night drive to see creatures of the dark: genets and hunting leopards. For a different feel, explore rivers on gentle motorboat cruises, including on multi-day trips, or get closer to the water in a traditional mokoro (dug-out canoe), with a poler escorting you along shallow waterways. Or seek out a specialist walking camp for the excitement of bush walks – when meerkats might even pose atop your head for a great lookout. And why not use this book’s advice to book-end trips by visiting Livingstone (Zambia) and the Victoria Falls? Written and updated by Chris and Susie McIntyre, experts on all things Africa, Bradt’s Botswana Safari Guide is the definitive companion to discovering this thrilling destination.
