A Fynbos Year

Michael Fraser

The southern and south-western Cape, which has a richer plant life than that of the whole British Isles, forms one of the major floral kingdoms of the world, and is home to a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. In "A Fynbos Year", the author portrays a selection of the diversity of plant and animal life encountered in this region over the course of a year. This is not a land of large, conspicuous animals which typify much of southern Africa and after which visitors often hanker. The title demonstrates that small is beautiful and that a multitude of fascinating plants and animals awaits the patient observer. It also highlights present threats to fynbos, especially those posed by urban and agricultural development and invasion by alien plants; and outlines current research and conservation efforts.