Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg

Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg PDF Author: Odette Curtis-Scott
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
ISBN: 1775845818
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 1970

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Book Description
Part of the Fynbos biome, Renosterveld is one of the world’s most threatened vegetation types, with just 5% of its original extent remaining. Focusing specifically on the Renosterveld of the Overberg region in the Western Cape, this field guide is the first of its kind to cover this highly endangered ecosystem, characterised by nutrient-rich soil which has been exploited for agriculture. An in-depth introduction sets the scene, defining what Renosterveld is and giving some historical background to the ecology of the area. The plants section follows, featuring over 980 plant species from the common and ‘showy’ to the weird, obscure and often-overlooked. A shorter section of 140 animal species showcases the diversity of creatures found here despite severe habitat loss and fragmentation. Additional features include a glossary with supporting illustrations, guidelines for landowners and farmers, and a comprehensive index. Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg promises to be an enduring record of this unique and severely threatened ecosystem. It will be a vital addition to any nature lover’s bookshelf. Sales points: Comprehensive coverage of Renosterveld species, identification at a glance, full-colour photographs of all species described, expert author team.

Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg

Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg PDF Author: Odette Curtis-Scott
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
ISBN: 1775845818
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 1970

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Book Description
Part of the Fynbos biome, Renosterveld is one of the world’s most threatened vegetation types, with just 5% of its original extent remaining. Focusing specifically on the Renosterveld of the Overberg region in the Western Cape, this field guide is the first of its kind to cover this highly endangered ecosystem, characterised by nutrient-rich soil which has been exploited for agriculture. An in-depth introduction sets the scene, defining what Renosterveld is and giving some historical background to the ecology of the area. The plants section follows, featuring over 980 plant species from the common and ‘showy’ to the weird, obscure and often-overlooked. A shorter section of 140 animal species showcases the diversity of creatures found here despite severe habitat loss and fragmentation. Additional features include a glossary with supporting illustrations, guidelines for landowners and farmers, and a comprehensive index. Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg promises to be an enduring record of this unique and severely threatened ecosystem. It will be a vital addition to any nature lover’s bookshelf. Sales points: Comprehensive coverage of Renosterveld species, identification at a glance, full-colour photographs of all species described, expert author team.

Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg

Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg PDF Author: Odette Curtis-Scott
Publisher: Struik Nature
ISBN: 9781775845805
Category : Animals
Languages : en
Pages : 488

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Book Description


The Scandalous Times of a Book Louse

The Scandalous Times of a Book Louse PDF Author: Robert Muponde
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
ISBN: 1485904765
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 341

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Book Description
A magical coming-of-age tale in rural Zimbabwe Ah, you’ve arrived. Sit down, please, and make yourself comfortable. There may not be much dinner tonight – Father is still out of work; Mother can’t do anything with those stunted maize plants in the stony ground – but at least you are here, in Gushure Village, home to unsurpassed raconteurs and the Guramatunhu family, who know that telling stories staves off hunger. Surprise awaits at every turn: thoughts and conversations bloom into poems, political speeches and songs. You will find instructions for cooking a hare, for how to defend yourself when a dead snake is your enemy’s chosen weapon, how to speak in war tongues, how to compose a fist and aim it at a tree trunk, how to eliminate animal terrorism in a time of rabies, how to rehearse the body-viewing of a good-looking corpse, how to rock under flying okapis with The Double Shuffle, and how to practise your lovemaking technique on a woman drawn in the sand. At a time when cooked ants constitute a feast, the future nevertheless holds abundant prospects for the boy who devours words. But there is an unexpected fork in the road for this book louse, and plenty of wondrous twists and shocking turns. Hilarious, poetic and poignant, Robert Muponde’s vibrant coming-of-age story of Ronald Guramatunhu brings to life rural Zimbabwe from the Second Chimurenga to independence. There are malevolent mermaids, eccentric shamans, outrageous relatives, fearsome teachers, and men who transform into hippos in a tale that captures all the magic of childhood.

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna PDF Author: Cliff Dorse
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
ISBN: 1775847403
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 557

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Book Description
South Africa’s Fynbos Biome, which spans the country’s Western and Eastern Cape provinces, is one of the richest floras in the world. In addition to its spectacular botanical diversity, the region is also famous for its remarkable variety of fauna, with some species occurring nowhere else – from the tiny Micro Frog to the brightly coloured Orange-breasted Sunbird and the large, strikingly marked Bontebok. The first of its kind, this concise field guide covers more than 400 species in four animal groups: mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs. The species accounts include key identification features and are paired with full-colour photographs and distribution maps. This guide encompasses popular tourist destinations such as the Cape Peninsula, the Kogelberg, the Cederberg, the Agulhas Plain, the West Coast and Baviaanskloof. Sales points: First guide to focus on Fynbos wildlife. Ideal for visitors, hikers, botanists, conservationists and anyone with an interest in the region’s natural history. Written by conservationists with extensive field experience. Supported by high-quality colour photographs.

Plants of the Baviaanskloof

Plants of the Baviaanskloof PDF Author: Douglas Euston-Brown
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
ISBN: 1775847683
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 1674

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Book Description
Tucked away in the southwestern corner of the Eastern Cape lies a narrow valley, flanked by the Baviaanskloof and Kouga mountain ranges. Named after the chacma baboons that long ago made this 200-km-long kloof their home, the Baviaanskloof is part of the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site. It is a meeting point of several different ecosystems, with almost all of South Africa’s eight biomes represented, making for a remarkable diversity of species, including many endemics. Plants of the Baviaanskloof describes well over 1,000 plant species. It includes: An introduction covering the geological history, climate and vegetation types of the region. Detailed family and genus descriptions, including species counts. Succinct descriptions of each plant species with full-colour photographs. Species common names in several South African languages (where available). Compiled over more than two decades, Plants of the Baviaanskloof is sure to become an enduring record of the diversity of plant life found here. The only botanical guide for this area, it is a must for botanists, gardeners, road-trippers, hikers, travellers and all who have a deep interest in plants. Sales points: Presents over 1,000 plant species. Easy ID with full-colour photos of all featured species. Accessible descriptions of plant species. Detailed illustrations unpack intricate botanical information.

Veld

Veld PDF Author: Garreth van Niekerk
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
ISBN: 1779890222
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 444

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Book Description
Patrick Watson is currently South Africa’s most innovative and versatile landscape architect. Known for designing extensive mega-sites, such as Sun City and an entire Indian Ocean Island, he is also the creator of exquisite small home gardens and quiet spaces for reflection, such as at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. A highly sought-after designer, he has created over 200 gardens in Africa and many others elsewhere. He seldom works from carefully drawn plans, instead combining artistic intuition with extensive botanical knowledge and a deep concern for the conservation and restoration of nature. His projects are creative, fresh with inspiration, and often bold, and he uses mostly indigenous plants, colours, landforms and space to create visual and emotional experiences. Covering 23 gardens and landscapes, and richly supported by exquisite photographs and specially commissioned artworks, Veld is a beautiful tribute to a remarkable talent and visionary whose work is deeply informed by nature. It recognises and celebrates the combination of knowledge, skill and instinct that make up the man, and the radical influence he has had on his profession, and the landscapes he has restored. Sales points: An exquisite record of a broad spectrum of gardens and landscapes. Lavishly illustrated with superb photographs and specially commissioned artworks. A must-have reference for professional landscape designers, architects, landscape photographers and all aspirant gardeners.

Saunders’ Field Guide to Gladioli of South Africa

Saunders’ Field Guide to Gladioli of South Africa PDF Author: Rod Saunders
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
ISBN: 1775847624
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 984

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Book Description
The genus Gladiolus has fascinated plant collectors, taxonomists and the general public for centuries. Known for their spectacular flowers, these highly adapted and specialised plants occur throughout Africa, Madagascar, Europe and the Middle East. South Africa is home to more than half of the world’s Gladiolus species and the Western Cape is the heart of species diversity. Saunders’ Field Guide to Gladioli of South Africa is the first of its kind to offer a complete photographic record of the 166 species that occur in the region. Posthumously completed, this book is the culmination of the Saunders’ long search to find and photograph every known species of Gladiolus in South Africa. It includes: An introduction comprising a brief history of gladioli, information about the morphology and taxonomy of the genus, and guidelines for use in the field. Detailed descriptions of the main floral parts of each species, along with information about ecology, pollinators, similar species and conservation status; field notes were written by Rachel Saunders. Over 1,000 exquisite photographs taken in situ detailing morphology and habitat. Up-to-date distribution maps indicating where species have been recorded. A glossary of terms with illustrations unpacking difficult terminology. A coveted record of the life’s work of a couple who contributed to botany and horticulture in South Africa; it will be treasured by anyone with an interest in these magnificent flowers. Sales points: Accessible coverage of all known gladioli in South Africa; identification at a glance; full-colour photographs of all species described; expert authors.

Plants of the Klein Karoo

Plants of the Klein Karoo PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781919766492
Category : Plants
Languages : en
Pages : 571

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Book Description


National Parks and Nature Reserves: A South African Field Guide

National Parks and Nature Reserves: A South African Field Guide PDF Author: Chris Stuart
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
ISBN: 1920545247
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 656

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Book Description
This book is a unique and indispensable guide to the hidden treasures of 43 of South Africa’s best and most accessible national parks, nature reserves and wilderness areas. Included are more than 900 photographs, 140 detailed park, locator, provincial and vegetation maps, and a 31-page photographic guide that aids identification of wildlife and vegetation. Organised by province, the conservation areas are comprehensively described, covering history, location, landscape, geology, vegetation and wildlife – most notably mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects. Information panels list the highlights of each park or reserve, and provide key facts about wildlife, climate, facilities and activities, as well as critical warnings for visitors. Some 195 free checklists for the parks and reserves covered in the book can be downloaded at www.parksandreserves.co.za Chris and Mathilde Stuart, field ecologist and medical doctor respectively, work in the fields of biodiversity surveying, travel, photography and filming. They have written numerous books, including Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa, Pocket Guide to Mammals of East Africa and Dangerous Creatures of Africa, all published by Random House Struik, as well as scientific papers and popular articles on a wide range of topics.

Wildland Fire Management Handbook for Sub-Sahara Africa

Wildland Fire Management Handbook for Sub-Sahara Africa PDF Author: Johann Georg Goldammer
Publisher: African Minds
ISBN: 191983365X
Category : Fire ecology
Languages : en
Pages : 446

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Book Description
Africa is a fire continent. Since the early evolution of humanity, fire has been harnessed as a land-use tool. Many ecosystems of Sub-Sahara Africa that have been shaped by fire over millennia provide a high carrying capacity for human populations.