Archive for January, 2012
by Amanda on Jan 30th, 2012
Ernst van Jaarsveld explains the importance of waterwise gardening in his foreword to Waterwise Gardening in South Africa and Namibia. Read the extract:
Waterwise gardening aims to make use of the best of indigenous plants to green our garden environment. Planting locally indigenous plants means they will be adapted to the prevailing conditions and, once established, should become self-sustaining. This not only leads to a reduced gardening bill, but also contributes towards environmental conservation. For example, if you live in a bushveld environment, it makes sense to establish a bushveld garden; or to create a fynbos or strandveld-fynbos garden if you live in the Western Cape. Indigenous gardening is effective gardening, in harmony with the environment and favourable towards birds, insects, frogs and reptiles. The key to waterwise gardening is to create a garden that is appropriate for your area, so that it becomes easy to select the right plants. Remember, though, that individual gardens can have many different microclimates, so you can also choose suitable plants from other regions to add interest and variety. This book deals with indigenous gardening in South Africa and Namibia, two diverse countries that embrace the full spectrum of different climatic regions, from arid deserts to subtropical forests. In order to make the best of your garden, you first need to understand your own environment so that you can select appropriate indigenous plants that are climatically adapted to your local conditions.
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by Amanda on Jan 27th, 2012
Euegene Moll, author of What’s that Tree?, looks back on the life of the KwaZulu-Natal botanist, Kathleen Gordon-Gray, who died in Pietermaritzburg on January 13th.
Moll says that Gordon-Gray was “no ordinary woman” – she was the South African expert on Cyperaceae and collected some 4000 specimens, mainly from KwaZulu-Natal. Speaking of the personal impact she had on his life, Moll says he would have become a zoologist were it not for her influence.
KATHLEEN Gordon-Gray (née Huntley) died peacefully in Pietermaritzburg on January 13, 11 days before her 94th birthday. She is survived by her only daughter, Celia.
Gordon-Gray was no ordinary person. She was, in fact, a most extraordinary and generous woman. Not only was she the South African expert on Cyperaceae and some other plants of KwaZulu-Natal (see Google Scholar for a list of some of her publications), she was a wife, mother, excellent lecturer in the then botany department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Pietermaritzburg campus, and a much sought-after confidante and friend to students and colleagues alike.
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by Amanda on Jan 25th, 2012
In 2010, Struik Nature released Bruce Cairncross’ Pocket Guide: Rocks & Minerals of Southern Africa, a fascinating reference book on the rock and mineral species of southern Africa. Today we are delighted to bring you an excerpt from the book, courtesy Namibiana Buchdepot:
Southern Africa is endowed with a wealth of mineral deposits, as well as several internationally famous geological formations and world heritage sites. The region’s geological history spans an enormous time period, with some of its rocks being over 3 000 million years old. All of the three important rock types – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary – occur here. They are composed of many different mineral species, ranging from those that are somewhat dull to those with chemical or aesthetic properties that make them useful in industry, in building or as gems or collector specimens. Currently over 4 400 mineral species are known worldwide, many of which are found in southern Africa. This book features the more common, interesting or important rock and mineral types and is intended to provide a quick and easy field reference for amateur geologists and collectors. If you wish to learn more about the distribution or characteristics of rare minerals, the bibliography lists easily accessible professional publications dealing in greater detail with the geology of southern Africa.
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by Amanda on Jan 19th, 2012
Karen Kotze interviewed the witty Ian Sinclair, author of the original Sasol Birds of Southern Africa, which last year was revised for a fourth edition, co-authored by Warwick Tarboton, Phil Hockey, and Peter Ryan. In the interview, Sinclair reveals a devious sense of humour, saying, “I actually hate birds”, and recalling the “hooliganism” that led him from stamp collecting to bird watching:
“After this one, I’m klaar,” declares Ian Sinclair. He’s referring to the fourth – and final – revise of his international best-seller, Sasol Birds of Southern Africa.
His physical address states Pinelands, indeed his spacious and elegant home is in Pinelands, but the man himself rarely is. As this is written, he’s hunting down 30 endemic birds of Sri Lanka which are rumoured to be there, but have not yet been seen. Half a dozen of them are nocturnal too, so he paints quite a picture of a “Saucepan Man” version of himself, strung with torches, Canon equipment and flanked by fellow explorers, creeping through thickets in the deep dark night.
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by Amanda on Jan 17th, 2012
Go! magazine speaks to Peter Ryan, one of the authors of Sasol Birds of Southern Africa IV (now in its fourth edition), about what makes this particular guide book unique:
Why another bird guide?
The first edition of this guide was published in 1993, the first revision in 1997 and the second in 2002, so you could say the fourth edition was overdue. It’s not a new guide, but an extensive revision of what is arguably the premier guide to the birds of southern Africa.
Revisions are needed to keep up with changes such as new vagrants and the latest taxonomic decisions.
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by Amanda on Jan 13th, 2012
Ethnobotanist Neil Crouch featured in the December issue of Garden and Home magazine, where he spoke about his new book, Ferns of Southern Africa, and why he has a particular soft spot for these plants. “Their primeval associations connect us with a really profound side of botany and early evolutionary history,” he explains. “Many are extremely rare, so were found with a lot of luck and perseverance — and fun and elation.” Read the article:
Over 150 years ago ferns were the height of gardening fashion, says Neil Crouch – and with his new book he’s hoping to help spark new wave of enthusiasm.
It’s quite a stretch from being a dusty schoolboy on a traffic island in Bulawayo to being at the helm of the new landmark book Ferns of Southern Africa (Struik Nature). But that school field trip more than 30 years ago led Durban ethnobotanist Neil Crouch directly to this most comprehensive guide to ferns.
“Our teacher explained how plants fit into each ecological niche even though they were mostly weeds such as lantana and opuntia,” he says. “Everything suddenly fell into place for me and that moment really awakened me to plants — I still remember how everything smelled and looked.”
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by Amanda on Jan 11th, 2012
A new revised and updated version of Smithers’ Mammals of Southern Africa will be available this February:
First published in 1986, Smithers’ Mammals is an authoritative and popular guide to the mammals of Southern Africa. This revised and updated edition incorporates the latest information brought to light by molecular genetics, while remaining accessible to the layperson and handy in the field. Each entry includes an in-depth species description; notes on habitat, behaviour, diet and conservation status; accurate illustrations and spoor drawings; and a distribution map. The book also details the whales, dolphins and seals seen along our coast.
This highly regarded field guide will appeal to general readers and wildlife enthusiasts, as well as to specialists in the field of mammals.
About the author
Dr Peter Apps co-ordinated the revision of Smithers’ Mammals of Southern Africa: A Field Guide, based on the late Reay Smithers’ original text, Land Mammals of Southern Africa. Dr Apps is a respected mammologist and the author of Wild Ways: A Field Guide to the Behaviour of Southern African Mammals and Creatures of Habit.
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by Amanda on Jan 10th, 2012
Struik Nature is proud to announce the forthcoming title Exploring Fynbos by Margo Branch:
This exploration of southern Africa’s extraordinary fynbos has long been a popular introduction to the region’s natural treasures. Formerly Explore the Cape Flora, and now relaunched as Exploring Fynbos, the book has been updated and freshly designed to appeal to today’s young readers – and is a timely call to preserve what remains of our local habitat. The book details not only the region’s flora, but also the animals that are associated with it and the many interactions and processes that underpin it all.
The pages are loaded with colourful images; interesting topics unpacked in straightforward text; ‘did you know’ boxes; ‘things to do’ panels.
This lively book will foster in young people an insight into the priceless legacy of fynbos, and will promote awareness among readers of the need to protect our fragile environment.
About the author
Margo Branch is an award winning author and illustrator. She has spent many years exploring the natural wonders of southern Africa and believes in developing skills and a conservation ethic by interactive, first-hand discovery.
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