Dave Taylor's African Safari


	Abiotic Factors of the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem
	Abiotic Factors looks at the non-living things that make an ecosystem special. These include such factors as location, latitude, altitude, geology and climate. Each is explored in this volume along with several others.
	Key Words:
	Volcano, Carbon-cycle, Nitrogen-cycle, Rift Valley, Plate tectonics, Abiotic factors
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science, Geography (ecosystems, abiotic factors, geology, Earth’s physical features)

	Trophic Level I: The Producers
	The important role of plants in the ecosystem is explored in this book. Students will learn about the relationship that exists between plants and their environment. They will also learn about the different roles that grass and trees play and how they compete with each other.
	Key Words:
	Biotic Factors, Biomass, Producers, Photosynthesis, Vegetation Types, Consumers, Food Chains, Food Web, Food Pyramid, The Second Law of Thermodynamics
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science, Geography (ecosystems, biotic factors, plants, photosynthesis)

	Trophic Level II: The Herbivores
	The Serengeti-Mara’s many plant eaters are the subject of this volume. Students will learn about the behavior and lifestyle of many of the animals found here. Termites and locust are featured as well as the larger more common mammals. The role of each animal is discussed. Students will learn which animals are preyed upon by the Serengeti-Mara’s many predators.
	Key Words:
	Herbivore, predator, prey, competitor, animal behavior, lifestyle, reproduction, role in food web (niche)
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science, Geography (ecosystems, animal behavior, niches, competition: intra-specific, inter-specific, adaptations)

	Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores
	Carnivores and omnivores are presented in this volume. Students will learn about the many small predators that can be found here. A variety of reptiles, birds and mammals are introduced. As with the previous volume, their behavior, niche and lifestyles are explained.
	Key Words:
	Carnivore, omnivore, predator, prey, competitor, animal behavior, lifestyle, reproduction, role in food web (niche)
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science, Geography (ecosystems, predation, animal behavior, niches, competition: intra-specific, inter-specific, adaptations)

	Trophic Level IV: Large Carnivores
	This book contains the biographies of some of the best known of Africa’s wild animals: lion, leopard, hyena, crocodile. The student will meet these top predators along with several lesser known species. The relationship they have with their prey is often surprising.
	Key Words:
	Carnivore, predator, prey, competitor, animal behavior, lifestyle, reproduction, role in food web (niche)
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science, Geography (ecosystems, predation, animal behavior, niches, competition: intra-specific, inter-specific, adaptations)

	Scavengers and Decomposers
	The role of scavengers and decomposers is explored in this volume. Students will learn about the various niches that different vultures fill. The dung beetle and other even smaller decomposers are presented as well. As with the books above, the student also learns about the natural history of the animals found in this chapter.
	Key Words:
	Scavenger, decomposer, vulture, insects
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science, Geography (ecosystems, scavenger, decomposer, bacteria, animal behavior, niches, competition: intra-specific, inter-specific, adaptations)

	The Missing Factor: Human Beings
	Often neglected but vitally important to understanding how an ecosystem works is the role that humans play in it. This book explores the evolution of the Serengeti-Mara and the effects our ancestors had upon it. Olduvai Gorge and the work of the late Louis Leakey and Mary Leakey are featured in this volume. The recent history of the area is also explored along with a study of the Maasai and their unique relationship with this land.
	Key Words:
	Olduvai Gorge, Dr. Louis Leakey, Mary Leakey, Australopithecus, hominids, Maasai, explorers, recent history, carnivore, omnivore, predator, prey, competitor, animal behavior, life-style, reproduction, role in food web (niche)
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science, Geography, History (African), anthropology, human evolution, geology, volcanoes, conservation

	Dave Taylor's Safari Diary
	One question often asked of the author is, "How did you get those pictures?" This book answers that question as it takes the reader along on a three week safari to Kenya and northern Tanzania. The author shares his experiences and reflections along the way. This book also visits parks not in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem such as Samburu, Lake Manyara and Nairobi.
	Key Words:
	Serengeti, Masai Mara, Safari, Tourism, Lodges, Wildlife
	Carnivore, omnivore, predator, prey, competitor, animal behavior, lifestyle, reproduction, role in food web (niche)
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science, Geography, Social Science, History, Tourism, National Parks

	A Day in the Life of an African Eden
	Ngorongoro Crater is often referred to as a miniature Serengeti. It is much smaller and does have most of the major species found in the Serengeti. For this reason, many studies have been done here and their findings have been applied to the Serengeti. This book presents Ngorongoro to readers so that they can see both the similarities and the differences that exist between these two places.
	Key Words:
	Carnivore, omnivore, predator, prey, competitor, animal behavior, lifestyle, reproduction, role in food web (niche), crater, tourism
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science, Geography (ecosystems, predation, animal behavior, niches, competition: intra-specific, inter-specific, adaptations, history, tourism, safari)

	Field Guide: Grasses and Trees of the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem
	Common plants of the Serengeti-Mara region are presented in brief summaries. Trees and grasses are identified and discussed.
	Key Words:
	Tree species, grass species, niche
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science (ecosystems, predation, niches, species identification)

	Field Guide: Reptiles of the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem
	Common reptiles of the Serengeti-Mara region are presented in brief summaries. Several of the more commonly observed species are identified and discussed. Additional species not covered in the main text are also presented.
	Key Words:
	Reptiles, carnivores, omnivores, turtles, crocodiles, snakes, lizards, niche
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science (ecosystems, predation, niches, species identification)

	Field Guide: Birds of the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem
	Common birds of the Serengeti-Mara region are presented in brief summaries. A variety of species are identified and discussed. Additional species not covered in the main text are also presented.
	Key Words:
	Vultures, birds of prey, storks, herons, shore birds, perching birds, hornbills, weavers, niche
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science (ecosystems, predation, niches, species identification)

	Field Guide: Mammals of the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem
	Mammals of the Serengeti-Mara region are presented in brief summaries. All major species are identified and discussed. Additional species not covered in the main text are also presented.
	Key Words:
	Carnivores, insectivores, scavengers, herbivores, apes, endangered status, niche
	Curriculum Connections:
	Science (ecosystems, predation, niches, species identification, endangered species)

	*Book Summaries*	Return to