Cedars of the Cederberg

About this book

The Clanwilliam cedar (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis) is arguably the most charismatic South African tree species. The impact of humans on the species has been disastrous, starting with heavy logging from 1750 to 1880, followed by increased fire frequency, and finally, climate change decimating the stands, so that the species is now probably drifting into extinction. In this book, the decline of the cedars is documented and the biology explored, especially attempting to understand why the species is limited to the Cederberg and solving the mystery of its persistence in the fire-prone fynbos. The book tells the story of the Clanwilliam cedar: where it came from, how it functions, what its adaptations to the harsh Cederberg environment are and what our impact on the species has been. It ends with suggestions on how the species can be saved from extinction.

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