Includes bibliographical references (p. 297-324 and index.

Ch. 1. African environments and the origins of humanity -- Ch. 2. African environments and the development of food production systems -- Ch. 3. African environments and the development of complex societies -- Ch. 4. African environments and the era of the Columbian exchange -- Ch. 5. African environments and the reorganization of space under colonial rule -- Ch. 6. African environments in the age of conservation and development -- Ch. 7. Case studies -- Case study 1. The first frontier : the Sahara Desert -- Case study 2. Death and life on the Serengeti : wilderness in Africa as managed landscape -- Case study 3. Transforming the landscape : food production and agriculture in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa.

"Sub-Saharan Africa assesses both the positive and negative environmental effects of human activities, ranging from the impact of colonialism to the modern day problems of urbanization, globalization, and conservationism. Readers will learn how environmental factors have impacted historical events, such as the nineteenth century 'Scramble for Africa' and the ongoing tensions between conservationism and environmentalism. Sub-Saharan Africa is a presentation of the past, present, and future of the continent that gave birth to the human race."--BOOK JACKET.