Fynbos: South Africa's Unique Floral Kingdom (SIGNED)

Signed by authors on half-title. 4to; original green boards, lettered in gilt on spine, and with gilt flower device to upper cover; laminated pictorial dustwrapper; pp. 156, incl. index; full-colour photographs; map. Dustwrapper sunned on portion of upper panel, adjacent to spine; trace of spotting to half-title. Near fine, in a very good dustwrapper. "Early plant collectors were fascinated by the richness of the flora, and assiduously took specimens back to Europe for study and cultivation. Even today, some 350 years later, new species are still being discovered. Nowadays, though, the focus of research has shifted from describing individual species to understanding the ecology of the fynbos region as a whole. How old is fynbos? Why is it here? What role does fire play in its survival? What makes it so special, and why - and how - should it be conserved? The scientists' discoveries have been exciting. In this volume Richard Cowling and Dave Richardson share the knowledge that has been gained, covering all aspects of the fynbos environment, its organisms and ecosystems. They discuss, too, the problems that must be overcome if this unique vegetation is to survive. A major, and perhaps controversial, theme is that the solutions to these problems lie in the recognition - and implementation - of fynbos as an economic resource. Colin Paterson-Jones's photographs do full justice to the beauty of fynbos, capturing both the grandeur of the landscapes and the exquisite delicacy of the flowers. Together with the text, they demonstrate the marvels of fynbos - and make a plea for the wise use of its resources."