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| 1 | PROLOGUE | 5 |
| 1.1 | The First Edition | 5 |
| 1.2 | Additional Information | 5 |
| 1.3 | Support and Assistance | 5 |
| 1.4 | The Maps | 6 |
| 1.5 | The Figures | 21 |
| 2 | INTRODUCTION | 30 |
| 2.1 | What is ERA? | 30 |
| 2.2 | The ERA Philosphy | 30 |
| 2.3 | ERA Knowledge is Based upon Participatory Research. | 32 |
| 2.4 | What is Participatory Research? | 33 |
| 3 | WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENT? | 35 |
| 3.1 | Defining Ecology and Environment in Terms of the Human Landscape | 35 |
| 3.2 | Analysing a Landscape | 36 |
| 3.3 | The Human Landscape: Economic Activity and Society | 38 |
| 3.4 | Landscapes are Alive | 39 |
| 3.5 | Ecosystems | 40 |
| 3.6 | Terms Used in the Descriptions of Ecosystems | 41 |
| 3.7 | Plants and Animals in Ecosystems | 42 |
| 3.8 | The Dynamics of Ecosystems and Viability | 43 |
| 3.9 | Real Ecology: Human Society | 46 |
| 4 | WHAT IS THE NIGER DELTA? | 48 |
| 4.1 | A Unique Ecosystem | 48 |
| 4.2 | Relief | 49 |
| 4.3 | Local Climate | 50 |
| 4.4 | Hydrology | 50 |
| 4.5 | Soils | 51 |
| 4.6 | Natural Vegetation | 56 |
| 4.7 | Natural Animal Communities | 56 |
| 4.8 | The Natural Ecosystem | 57 |
| 5 | THE NATURAL LOWLAND EQUATORIAL MONSOON (LEM) ECOZONE | 60 |
| 5.1 | Introduction | 60 |
| 5.2 | Tropical Rainforest: Definition and Classification | 60 |
| 5.3 | Correcting Some Misconceptions About the Rainforest | 61 |
| 5.4 | Distribution of the Natural Tropical Rainforest Biome | 63 |
| 5.5 | Micro-Climate of the LEM Rainforest | 64 |
| 5.6 | Physical Characteristics of the LEM Rainforest | 67 |
| 5.7 | Diversity of Tree Forms in the LEM Rainforest | 69 |
| 5.8 | Biodiversity of the LEM Rainforest | 71 |
| 5.9 | Plant Species of the LEM Rainforest | 72 |
| 5.10 | Animal Species of the LEM Rainforest | 75 |
| 5.11 | The Sub-Ecozones of the LEM Ecozone of the Niger Delta | 77 |
| 6 | THE NATURAL FRESHWATER ALLUVIAL EQUATORIAL MONSOON (FAM) ECOZONE | 78 |
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