Botany: Starting out

Demystifying Orchid Pollination explores the fascinating natural history of orchids and the extraordinary means by which they reproduce. Author Adam P. Karremans reveals their hidden secrets, from the cruel obsession of sexual deception to sweet rewards and highlights the key role of pollinators such as bees, flies, moths and butterflies in securing the survival of these delicate plants. The book navigates the colourful factoids that most of us hold true about orchid reproduction and places them in the light of past and present scientific knowledge, showcasing their flowers as an evolutionary model with an intrinsic mystical element. It celebrates biodiversity while stressing the importance of further ecological studies and at the same time advocating for increased conservation efforts and conscientious research and development.

Volume 3 includes family chapters dealing with 51 of the 108 families of flies that occur in the region and covers the Brachycera: Cyclorrhapha, excluding Calyptratae (sometimes termed the higher Diptera). Each chapter includes a diagnosis of the family, sections dealing with biology and immature stages, classification and identification, an identification key to genera (if more than one) and a synopsis of the fauna section, arranged genus by genus alphabetically.

This guide describes the diversity of insects that are well known for their shrill song on hot summer days, but which are so skilfully concealed, that they are often only seen when disturbed, or after a careful and surreptitious search. This book is an identification aid to all those admirable specialists and dedicated amateur workers and volunteers in museums, those active in conservation, ecological impact studies, data-basing and other vital biodiversity and environmental studies. It can also be of assistance to teachers and lecturers in natural sciences, and the guides in our diverse national parks, nature reserves, botanical gardens and other conservation areas.

The southern African marine region, which lies in the transitional zone between the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific biomes, has a very rich biodiversity with elements from the two major oceanic regions. This taxonomic monograph, long awaited by local enthusiasts, marine biologists and holothuroid specialists worldwide, focuses on the southern African Holothuroidea. It is based on the author’s approximately 55 years of research on the taxonomy of sea cucumbers with specific emphasis on the southern African fauna.

This easy-to-use photographic field guide presents wild flowers occurring in the southern African summer rainfall area, with a focus on the Limpopo Province. The guide contains a total of 90 families, 343 genera and 770 species. The selection covers both frequently seen and less common plant species. Technical botanical terms are kept to a minimum and a glossary explains those that have been used.

A taxonomic account of the endemic genus Zyrphelis in South Africa is presented. The genus Gymnostephium is sunk under Zyrphelis and some taxa previously listed under Mairia moved to Zyrphelis. Twenty-one species (total 35 taxa) are recognised. Zyrphelis ciliaris subsp. hirsuta is elevated to species level, Z. gracilis is reduced to varietal level under Z. fruticosa, Z. grauii is reduced to varietal level under Z. montana, Z. monticola is sunk under Z. microcephala subsp. microcephala.

Cliffortia (Rosaceae) is one of the largest genera in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). It extends beyond the CFR, northwards to Namaqualand and easywards through the Drakensberg, with two species extending into tropical Africa.

This book focuses on the politics of street trees and the institutions, actors and processes that govern their planning, planting and maintenance. This is an innovative approach which is particularly important in the context of mounting environmental and societal challenges and reveals a huge amount about the nature of modern life, of social change and political conflict. The work first provides different historical perspectives on street trees and politics, celebrating diversity in different cultures. A second section discusses street tree values, policy and management, addressing more contemporary issues of their significance and contribution to our environment, both physically and philosophically. It explores cultural idiosyncrasies and those from the point of view of political economy, particularly challenging the neo-liberal perspectives that continue to dominate political narratives.

The earth’s forests are havens of nature supporting a diversity of life. Shaped by climate and geography, these vast and dynamic wooded spaces offer unique ecosystems that shelter complex and interdependent webs of flora, fungi, and animals. The World Atlas of Trees and Forests offers a beautiful introduction to what forests are, how they work, how they grow, and how we map, assess, and conserve them.

The focus of this book is on the key water-related vulnerabilities to climate change in Africa, particularly in its most vulnerable areas, exploring potential management responses to such vulnerabilities. The African countries are particularly exposed and vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change, with important impacts on water resources and hydrological systems, water availability, water resource management and sea level variations. Already, under various anthropogenic pressures, the status of water resources in Africa has been changing over the past decades, with decreasing water quality, falling groundwater levels, and variability in rainfall, both in terms of timing and intensity.

The book starts at an elementary level of mathematical modeling, assuming that the reader has had high school mathematics and first-year calculus. Otto and Day then gradually build in depth and complexity, from classic models in ecology and evolution to more intricate class-structured and probabilistic models. The authors provide primers with instructive exercises to introduce readers to the more advanced subjects of linear algebra and probability theory. Through examples, they describe how models have been used to understand such topics as the spread of HIV, chaos, the age structure of a country, speciation, and extinction.