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Non-linearities, synergisms and plant extinctions in South African fynbos and Australian kwongan

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Abstract

This paper explores the determinants of extinction of endemic plant taxa in mediterranean-climate regions in South Africa and southwestern Australia. Major threats to biodiversity in these areas include agriculture, deforestation, fragmentation, invasive alien organisms and urbanization. Case studies from the two regions show that synergisms between factors can lead to discontinuous, or non-linear, responses that have increased extinction rates (or threaten to) beyond predictions based on simple deterministic processes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Plant Conservation, Botany Department, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, 7700, Rondebosch, South Africa

    David M. Richardson & Richard M. Cowling

  2. School of Environmental Biology, Curtin University of Technology, PO Box U1987, 6001, Perth, Australia

    Byron B. Lamont

Authors
  1. David M. Richardson
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  2. Richard M. Cowling
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  3. Byron B. Lamont
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Richardson, D.M., Cowling, R.M. & Lamont, B.B. Non-linearities, synergisms and plant extinctions in South African fynbos and Australian kwongan. Biodivers Conserv 5, 1035–1046 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00052714

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00052714

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