Introduction. 1. Geographical and physical features: geology - geomorphology - soils - climate - paleoecology - hydrography - physiography and landscapes - human populations. 2. History of botanical exploration: pioneer explorations in the Guayana Lowlands (1754-1951) - initial explorations of Pantepui (1838-1960) - modern explorations in the Venezuelan Guayana (late 1900s). 3. Vegetation: previous vegetation studies and maps - system of vegetation classification - forest formations - shrub formations - herbaceous formations pioneer formations - aquatic vegetation. 4. Floristic analysis and phytogeography: species numbers and composition - levels of endemism - floristic relationships - phytogeography of the Guayana region. 5. Conservetion of the Venezuelan Guayana: protected areas - other special management areas - threats to conservation. Apendix A: vascular plant families of the Venezuelan Guayana. Apendix B: key to the families of Spermatophytes in the Venezuelan Guayana.

Located in the southeastern half of Venezuela, the Venezuelan Guayana is the core area of what has been called "The Lost World." It is home to nearly 10,000 species of vascular plants, including many endemic species and genera. The Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana is the first full scientific account of the plants of the region. This volume continues the alphabetical sequence of family treatments, from Araliaceae to Cactaceae. Includes keys, descriptions, and illustrations of more than half the species treated.

Biodiversity of Pantepui: The Pristine "Lost World" of the Neotropical Guiana Highlands provides the most updated and comprehensive knowledge on the biota, origin, and evolution of the Pantepui biogeographical province. It synthesizes historical information and recent discoveries, covering the main biogeographic patterns, evolutionary trends, and conservational efforts. Written by international experts on the biodiversity of this pristine land, this book explores what makes Pantepui a unique natural laboratory to study the origin and evolution of Neotropical biodiversity under the influence of only natural drivers. It discusses the organisms living in Pentepui, including algae, plants, several groups of invertebrates, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. The latter portion of the book delves into the effects of human activity and global warming on Pantepui, and current conservational efforts to combat these threats. Biodiversity of Pantepui is an important resource for researchers in ecology, biogeography, evolution, and conservation, who want to understand the biodiversity and natural history of this region, and how to help conserve and protect the Guiana Highlands from environmental and human damages. - Offers a climactic and ecological history of the region since the Late Glacial epoch - Discusses the evolutionary origin of the Pantepui biota and its biogeographical patterns - Led by a team of editors whose expertise includes Pantepui, the Guiana Shield, and the Neotropics in general

Urumaco and Venezuelan Paleontology offers a synthesis of the paleontological record of Venezuela, including new discoveries on stratigraphy, paleobotany, fossil invertebrates, and vertebrates. Besides providing a critical summary of the record of decapods, fishes, crocodiles, turtles, rodents, armadillos, and ungulates, several chapters introduce new information on the distribution and paleobiology of groups not previously studied in this part of the world. Given its position in the northern neotropics, close to the Panamanian land bridge, Venezuela is a key location for understanding faunal exchanges between the Americas in the recent geological past. The book reviews the recent paleobotanical and vertebrate fossil record of the region, provides an understanding of Pleistocene climatic change and biogeography for the last few thousand years, and integrates new information with summaries of Spanish language works on Venezuelan geology and paleontology.