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Inselbergs are isolated rock outcrops that stand out abruptly from surrounding plains. Despite the widespread occurrence of granite inselbergs throughout all climatic and vegetational zones, their remarkably rich plant life was largely neglected in the recent literature.
This richly and partly in color illustrated volume provides a detailed survey of all major abiotic and biotic features characteristic for inselbergs. The extreme environmental conditions on inselbergs are described in depth as well as specific adaptive traits of rock outcrop plants including their morphological, anatomical and physiological responses. The diversity and structure of inselberg plant communities are examined on a global scale with detailed regional accounts for different tropical and temperate zones.

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´1 Why Study Inselbergs?.- 1.1 Inselbergs - Model Ecosystems for Biodiversity Studies.- 1.2 Perspectives of Inselberg Research.- 1.3 Linking Inselberg Research to Other Ecosystems.- References.- 2 Inselbergs: Geomorphology and Geoecology.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Diversity of Forms and Terminology.- 2.3 Genesis of Inselbergs.- 2.4 Ayers Rock.- 2.5 Microforms and Substrata - Examples from the Côte d´lvoire.- 2.6 Discussion.- References.- 3 Xeric Islands: Environmental Conditions on Inselbergs.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 The Study of Microclimate on Inselbergs in the Côte d´lvoire.- 3.3 Conclusions.- References.- 4 Islands on Islands: Habitats on Inselbergs.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Habitat Types on Inselbergs.- 4.3 Floristic Affinities to Other Rock Outcrop Ecosystems.- References.- 5 Algae, Fungi, and Lichens on Inselbergs.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Algae.- 5.3 Fungi.- 5.4 Lichens.- 5.5 Habitat Separation.- 5.6 Ecophysiology.- 5.7 Conclusion.- References.- 6 Bryophytes.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Floristic Diversity.- 6.3 Habitats.- 6.4 Structural Adaptations.- 6.5 Dispersal.- 6.6 Distribution.- 6.7 Comparison with Flowering Plants.- References.- 7 Vascular Plants on Inselbergs: Systematic Overview.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Data Availability.- 7.3 Systematic Distribution and Species Numbers.- 7.4 Comparison with Vascular Epiphytes.- References.- 8 Vascular Plants on Inselbergs: Vegetative and Reproductive Strategies.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Adaptational Aspects of Plant Life-and Growth-Forms on Inselbergs.- 8.3 Reproductive Strategies.- 8.4 Plant Functional Groups and Redundancy in the Vegetation of Inselbergs.- References.- 9 Ecophysiology of Vascular Plants on Inselbergs.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Environmental Factors as Stressors.- 9.3 Adaptation of Inselberg Plants to Scarcity of Water.- 9.4 Adaptation of High Irradiance and Temperatures.- 9.5 Adaptation to Deficiency of Mineral Nutrients: Carnivorous Plants.- 9.6 Modes of Photosynthesis in Plants of Mt. Angavokely (Central High Plateau of Madagascar).- 9.7 Conclusions.- References.- 10 Variations on One Theme: Regional Floristics of Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.1 West African Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.1.1 Geography and Geology.- 10.1.2 Climate.- 10.1.3 Vegetation.- 10.1.4 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.1.5 Life-Forms and Ecological Adaptations.- 10.1.6 Systematic and Ecological Affinities.- 10.1.7 Phytogeography and Endemism.- References.- 10.2 East and Southeast Africa.- 10.2.1 Geography and Geology.- 10.2.2 Climate.- 10.2.3 Vegetation.- 10.2.4 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.2.5 Life-Forms.- 10.2.6 Vegetative Adaptations.- 10.2.7 Reproductive Adaptations.- 10.2.8 Systematic and Ecological Characteristics.- 10.2.9 Biogeography, Endemism, and Speciation.- References.- 10.3 The Arid Scenario: Inselbergs in the Namib Desert Are Rich Oases in a Poor Matrix (Namibia and South Africa).- 10.3.1 Geography and Geology.- 10.3.2 Geomorphological Features.- 10.3.3 Soils.- 10.3.4 Climate.- 10.3.5 Flora, Vegetation, and Life-Forms.- 10.3.6 Human Impact and Conservation.- 10.3.7 Research Needs.- References.- 10.4 Vegetation of Malagasy Inselbergs.- 10.4.1 Introduction.- 10.4.2 Geography and Geology.- 10.4.3 Climate.- 10.4.4 Vegetation.- 10.4.5 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.4.6 Systematic Characteristics.- 10.4.7 Life-Forms and Adaptations.- 10.4.8 Biogeography and Endemism.- 10.4.9 Considerations upon Diversity.- References.- 10.5 Seychelles.- 10.5.1 Introduction.- 10.5.2 Geography and Geology.- 10.5.3 Climate.- 10.5.4 Vegetation of the Granitic Islands.- 10.5.5 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.5.6 Life-Forms and Adaptations.- 10.5.7 Systematic and Ecological Characteristics.- 10.5.8 Biogeography and Endemism.- 10.5.9 Conservation.- References.- 10.6 Flora and Vegetation of Inselbergs of Venezuelan Guayana.- 10.6.1 Geography and Geology.- 10.6.2 Climate.- 10.6.3 Vegetation of Venezuela.- 10.6.4 Inselberg Vegetation.- 10.6.5

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