Date: 2007/01/18
Speaker: Bas Kooijman
Title: The natural history of the fynbos floral kingdom

The word "fynbos" is old-dutch for "fine wood", and reflects the
disappointment of people looking for trunk-wood for ships and
furniture, which cannot be found is this rather small but unique area
around Kaapstad (Cape Town, South Africa). Lack of nutrients and
regular fires seem to be essential for maintaining the remarkably
large floral diversity with a very high percentage of endemic
species. The biome is rather young, from an evolutionary perspective,
and loudly testifies from its Gondwana origin. Strong winds and
seasonal water supplies clearly effect the natural history of the
plant and animal species that live in this attractive area. Slides
will illustrate the various aspects.

For some background info, see
   http://www.plantzafrica.com/vegetation/floralkingdoms.htm