The grasslands of Brazil - known as the cerrados - cover roughly a quarter of its land surface and are among the most threatened regions in South America. This text brings together researchers on the area to produce an account of the natural history and ecology of the cerrado/savanna ecosystem.

1 Introduction: Development of Research in the Cerrados, by Paulo S. Oliveira and Robert J. Marquis Part I. Historical Framework and the Abiotic Environment 2. Relation of Soils and Geomorphic Surfaces in the Brazilian Cerrado, by Paulo E. F. Motta, Nilton Curi, and Donald P. Franzmeier 3 Late Quaternary History and Evolution of the Cerrados as Revealed by Palynological Records, by Marie-Pierre Ledru 4 The Fire Factor, by Heloisa S. Miranda, Mercedes M. C. Bustamante, and Antonio C. Miranda 5 Past and Current Human Occupation and Land-Use, by Carlos A. Klink and Adriana G. Moreira Part II. The Plant Community: Composition, Dynamics, and Life-History 6 Vegetation Physiognomies and Woody Flora of the Cerrado Biome, by Ary T. Oliveira-Filho and James A. Ratter 7 Herbaceous Plant Communities, by Tarciso S. Filgueiras 8 Patterns and Dynamics of Plant Populations, by Raimundo P. B. Henriques and John D. Hay 9 The Role of Fire in Population Dynamics of Woody Plants, by William A. Hoffmann and Adriana G. Moreira 10 Ecophysiology of Woody Plants, by Augusto C. Franco Part III. The Animal Community: Diversity and Biogeography 11 Lepidoptera in the Cerrado Landscape and the Conservation of Vegetation, Soil, and Topographical Mosaics,, by Keith S. Brown Jr. and David R. Gifford 12 The Character and Dynamics of the Cerrado Herpetofauna, by Guarino R. Colli, Rogerio P. Bastos, and Alexandre F. B. Araujo 13 The Avifauna: Ecology, Biogeography, and Behavior, by Regina H. F. Macedo 14 The Cerrado Mammals: Diversity, Ecology, and Natural History, by Jader Marinho-Filho, Flavio H. G. Rodrigues, and Keila M. Juarez Part IV. Insect-Plant Interactions 15 Ant Foraging on Plant Foliage: Contrasting Effects on the Behavioral Ecology of Insect Herbivores, by Paulo S. Oliveira, Andre V. L. Freitas, and Kleber Del-Claro 16 Interactions Among Cerrado plants and Their Herbivores: Unique or typical? Robert J. Marquis, by Helena C. Morais, and Ivone R. Diniz 17 Pollination and Reproductive Biology in Cerrado Plant Communities, by Paulo E. Oliveira and Peter E. Gibbs Part V. The Conservation of the Cerrados 18 Biodiversity and Conservation Priorities in the Cerrado Region, by Roberto B. Cavalcanti and Carlos A. Joly

The massive grasslands of Brazil-known as the cerrados-which cover roughly a quarter of its land surface and are among the most threatened regions in South America, have received little media attention. This book brings together leading researchers on the area to produce the first detailed account in English of the natural history and ecology of the cerrado/savanna ecosystem. Given their extent and threatened status, the richness of their flora and fauna, and the lack of familiarity with their unique ecology at the international level, the cerrados are badly in need of this important and timely work.