Ecological differentiation and the evolution and maintenance of fynbos diversity

Preserving the structure and functioning of ecosystems and the benefits they provide to society depends on our understanding of how biodiversity influences ecosystem function and which processes determine the composition and diversity of biological assemblages. Ecological, evolutionary and biogeographical processes interact to determine the genesis, maintenance and spatio-temporal arrangement of biodiversity. Here I investigate these processes in the Cape fynbos of South Africa by examining the diversification, biogeography and community assembly of a clade of reticulate-sheathed Tetraria species (Cyperaceae:Schoeneae).

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Slingsby, Jasper

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Verboom, George Anthony
• Cramer, Michael D
• Midgley, Jeremy J

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11573

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11573