Foreword B. J. Huntley; Preface; Contributors; Part. Physiography and History: Introduction; 1. Evolution of landscapes T. C. Partridge; 2. Climate R. E. Schulze; 3. Phytogeography, flora and endemism R. M. Cowling, and C. Hilton-Taylor; 4. Vegetation history L. Scott, H. M. Anderson, and J. M. Anderson; Part II. Biomes: Introduction; 5. Categorization of biomes M. C. Rutherford; 6. Fynbos R. M. Cowling, D. M. Richardson, and P. J. Mustart; 7. Succulent karoo S. J. Milton, R. I. Yeaton, W. R. J. Dean, and J. H. J. Vlok; 8. Nama-karoo A. R. Palmer, and M. T. Hoffman; 9. Desert N. Jürgens, A. Günster, M. K. Seely, and K. M. Jacobson; 10. Grassland T. G. O'Connor, and G. J. Bredenkamp; 11. Savanna R. J. Scholes; 12. Forest J. J. Midgley, R. M. Cowling, A. H. W. Seydack, and G. F. Van Wyk; 13. Coastal vegetation R. A. Lubke, A. M. Avis, T. D. Steinke, and C. Boucher; 14. Freshwater wetlands K. H. Rogers; 15. Marine vegetation J. J. Bolton and R. J. Anderson; Part III. Ecological Themes: Introduction; 16. Plant form and function W. D. Stock, N. Allsopp, F. van der Heyden, and E. T. F. Witkowski; 17. Herbivory N. Owen-Smith, and J. E. Danckwerts; 18. Fire W. J. Bond; 19. Species diversity at the regional scale R. M. Cowling, D. M. Richardson, R. E. Schulze, M. T. Hoffman, J. J. Midgley, and C. Hilton-Taylor; 20. Human use of plants A. B. Cunningham, and G. W. Davis; 21. Human impacts on vegetation M. T. Hoffman; 22. Alien plant invasions D. M. Richardson, I. A. W. Macdonald, J. H. Hoffmann, and L. Henderson; 23. Conservation A. G. Rebelo; Glossary; Index.