Well over 300 freshwater fish species found in the region’s rivers, lakes and dams feature in this fully revised third edition of Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa. Updated and expanded, this definitive guide includes newly described species, the latest taxonomic changes, new photographs and illustrations, and updated distribution maps.
An in-depth introduction, supported by explanatory illustrations and photographs, covers:
• a short history of fish science in the region
• ecoregions in which species occur
• anatomy, biology and ecology of fishes
• human impacts on fishes
• conservation status
• new understanding of evolutionary relationships between different fish groups.
The book also includes:
• succinct descriptions of large taxonomic groups of fish, with global distribution charts
• detailed species accounts covering size, identification features, distribution, biology, ecology, conservation, and uses by humans
• full-colour illustrations and up-to-date distribution maps for each species.
An invaluable tool for anglers, students and academics in the field, and conservationists
Published annually, Sky Guide Southern Africa is a practical resource for all stargazers, whether novice, amateur or professional. It highlights the cosmic events for each month of the upcoming year, including planetary movements, predicted eclipses and meteor showers. Star charts plot the evening sky for each season, facilitating the identification of stars and constellations. The guide contains a wealth of information about the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, meteors and bright stars, and includes photos, diagrams, charts and images.
The most trusted guide to the southern skies
Newman se Voëls volgens Kleur bied vir die beginnervoëlkyker ’n vinnige, eenvoudige manier om Suider-Afrika se algemeenste voëls volgens hul kleur te identifiseer. Die vierde uitgawe van dié nuttige geïllustreerde gids is bygewerk met die nuutste gewone voëlname, uitgebreide habitatinligting en die mees onlangse verspreidingkaarte. Die leersame inleiding bevat praktiese wenke oor die uitken van voëls, inligting oor voëlanatomie en -klassifikasie, en raad oor waar om vir voëls te soek en wat jy op só ’n uitstappie moet inpak.
The view from this spot … is the most picturesque of any I had seen in the vicinity of Cape Town.
William Burchell — Travels in the Interior of South Africa, 1822
Kirstenbosch is a name that resonates around the world as the home of a uniquely rich flora in a setting of unsurpassed beauty. Established soon after the unification of South Africa in 1910, the Garden continues to draw both tourists and locals to its enchanting spaces and botanical riches.
This book tells of how the Garden came to be, its setbacks and triumphs, its benefactors and heroes. It outlines the Garden’s scientific eminence as the repository of knowledge on our prized flora and presents its many attractions.
In this new edition, the story is brought up to date with details of new developments and attractions, making it a quality memento for visitors and the thousands of locals who flock there annually.
The Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia is one of Africa’s most impressive sights. Following the river that is wedged between massive cliffs, the Fish River Canyon Trail is the region’s most challenging route – and one of its most popular.
Hiking the Fish is the ultimate planner for anyone wanting to embark on this trail.
Written by expert adventure guides, it combines practical advice, handy tips and full-colour photographs to bring this exhilarating five-day hike to life. A detailed introduction to the canyon and its surrounds is followed by chapters that cover planning and preparation; bookings and accommodation; hiking, cooking and sleeping gear; nutrition and meal planning; and first aid. A comprehensive day-by-day route description forms the core of the book.
A must-have guide to one of Africa’s most enticing adventure destinations.
An essential guide to identifying all dangerous snakes in the region, as well as several commonly encountered harmless snakes, Snakes and Snakebite in Southern Africa also describes the symptoms resulting from bites and gives practical advice on first aid measures.
Now fully revised and expanded, this third edition includes nine additional species, over 250 new photographs, and the latest medical information.
Simple icons, distribution maps, succinct text and full-colour photographs make this a clear, practical and easy-to-use guide.
With its mixed terrain of desert, savanna, salt pan and river delta, Botswana is home to a wide variety of wildlife, making it a prime destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Wildlife of Botswana is an easy-to-use, all-in-one guide to the country’s most conspicuous and interesting mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates and plants.
The book includes:
An excellent portable travel companion for visitors to parks, reserves and other wildlife-rich places in Botswana
A celebration of the rich diversity and beauty of indigenous trees, The Ways and Wonders of South African Trees uncovers the fascinating world of trees and how they function.
Presented in two parts, the first explores the physiology and behaviour of trees and the second the grandeur of a select number of species, richly supported by photographs. A comprehensive introduction focuses on the complex life of trees, uncovering how they grow, compete for water, defend themselves and make use of photosynthesis to survive; their role in pollination; and the symbiotic relationships they have with each other and other life forms. Record-breakers such as the oldest, tallest and biggest trees are also featured.
The second half of the book showcases some 160 conspicuous species, including the iconic baobab, sausage tree and mopane tree, as well as lesser-known but interesting trees such as baboon’s breakfast. These accounts describe the unique traits of different trees and their various parts, and discusses how they are used by animals and birds, and by humans.
With its mixed terrain of desert, savanna, salt pan and river delta, Botswana is home to a wide variety of wildlife, making it a prime destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Wildlife of Botswana is an easy-to-use, all-in-one guide to the country’s most conspicuous and interesting mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates and plants.
The book includes:
An excellent portable travel companion for visitors to parks, reserves and other wildlife-rich places in Botswana
Patrick Watson is currently South Africa’s most innovative and versatile landscape architect. Known for designing extensive mega-sites, such as Sun City and an entire Indian Ocean Island, he is also the creator of exquisite small home gardens and quiet spaces for reflection, such as at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. A highly sought-after designer, he has created over 200 gardens in Africa and many others elsewhere.
He seldom works from carefully drawn plans, instead combining artistic intuition with extensive botanical knowledge and a deep concern for the conservation and restoration of nature. His projects are creative, fresh with inspiration, and often bold, and he uses mostly indigenous plants, colours, landforms and space to create visual and emotional experiences.
Covering 23 gardens and landscapes, and richly supported by exquisite photographs and specially commissioned artworks, Veld is a beautiful tribute to a remarkable talent and visionary whose work is deeply informed by nature. It recognises and celebrates the combination of knowledge, skill and instinct that make up the man, and the radical influence he has had on his profession, and the landscapes he has restored.
Ericas come in an astonishing array of sizes, shapes and colours. Some 760 species, many of them found nowhere else, occur in the Cape Floristic region – a centre of unparalleled diversity for the genus and home to one of the world’s richest floras.
Even when in bloom, telling these delicate flowers apart is extremely challenging. In Ericas of the Fynbos, 170 of the region’s most common plants are described in detail, with key ID features highlighted for quick reference. In addition, information is given on distribution, flowering times, subspecies and similar species – providing more tools to aid accurate identification. Vivid full-colour photographs of each species showcase the astonishing variety and stunning beauty of the flowers. An informative introduction unpacks biology, pollination and distribution of erica species.
Enriched by a lively design, this innovative guide will give all flower enthusiasts, gardeners and hikers, the confidence to accurately identify ericas in the wild.
Pollinators, parasites, predators, decomposers – insects arguably play the most important roles in the functioning of the Earth’s ecosystems.
This lavishly illustrated and highly authoritative book is structured around southern Africa’s 13 distinct biomes; it
This key publication detailing the latest research in the field of entomology will appeal to academics and nature enthusiasts alike.
Elephants are arguably Africa’s most charismatic animals, and among the biggest drawcards to our game reserves. While the burgeoning game-park industry may be increasing our access to these magnificent creatures, rising human-elephant encounters are an inevitable outcome – sometimes, sadly, fatal. Such encounters could likely have been avoided had those involved understood elephant behaviour, and particularly how these intelligent animals interface with traffic through their territory. This book describes elephant family life, from rearing of infants to establishing dominance within a herd; it unpacks regular elephant behaviour, the matriarchal system, the particular dangers of males in musth, and many other aspects of their lives. Most of all, it provides guidelines for ensuring safe and enjoyable encounters with these majestic animals. This is an essential guide for those planning visits to reserves: aside from the interest factor, being able to read the tell-tale signs may just save lives.
Filled with activities and interesting facts about Cape Town, this book covers the city’s six most popular destinations: Table Mountain, Boulders Beach, Cape Point, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the V&A Waterfront. With vibrant, full-colour illustrations throughout, this guidebook brings each destination to life with child-focused trivia and educational activities, such as puzzles, mazes, crosswords, secret codes and spot-the-difference. It also advises parents and children about what to pack and what to expect at each location.
Make the most of day trips in Cape Town with this fun, activity-packed companion
Hierdie lewendige boek stel kinders voor aan meer as 60 van die voëlgroepe wat in Suider-Afrika te vind is: grasieuse flaminke, vinnige valke, juweel-agtige suikerbekkies, kordate neushoringvoëls en vele meer.
Leer hoe om verskillende voëls te identifiseer en ontdek meer oor hul gedrag – hoe hulle kos soek, ‘n maat kies, ‘n nes bou, kuikens grootmaak en roofdiere vermy. ‘n Volledige inleiding verduidelik konsepte soos hofmakery, migrasie en
ververing.
Meer as 500 treffende foto’s is ingesluit, waarvan baie aantekeninge het_om_interessante eienskappe aan te toon.
This lively, jam-packed book introduces kids to more than 60 bird groups found in southern Africa: long-legged flamingos, speedy falcons, jewel-like sunbirds, plucky hornbills and many more.
Learn to identify different birds, and discover their intriguing behaviours – how they find food, choose a mate, build a nest, raise their young and avoid predators. A detailed introduction explains birding concepts such as courtship, migration, mobbing and moulting.
More than 500 stunning photographs are included, with many annotated to highlight interesting features and traits.
Le ncwadi ejabulisayo, egcwele mfi yethula izingane emaqenjini ezinyoni ezingaphezu kwama-60 ezitholakala eningizimu ne-Afrika: okholwase abanemilenze emide, oklebe abasheshayo, izincwincwi ezifana nejuba, izinsingizi ezinesibindi nezinye eziningi.
Funda ukubona izinyoni ezihlukahlukene, futhi uthole nendlela ehlaba umxhwele eziziphatha ngayo-indlela ezithola ngayo ukudla, ezikhetha ngayo umlingani, ezakha ngayo isidleke, ezikhulisa ngayo amachwane azo nokuthi zizigwema kanjani izilwane ezizizingelayo. Isingeniso esinemininingwane sichaza okuphathelene nezinyoni okunjengokuthandana, ukufuduka, ukuhlala kwazo ngaziningi kanye nokwebuza.
Kufakwe izithombe ezinhle ngokwedlulele ezingaphezu kwama-500, eziningi zichaziwe ukuze zigqamise izici nokuthile okuhlukile okuhlaba umxhwele ngazo.
