Micromammals, owls and vegetation change in the Eastern Cape Midlands, South Africa, during the last millennium

Abstract

Remains of rodents and insectivores recovered from Abbot's Cave in the Middelburg District, Cape Province, provide evidence of vegetation change during the 10th to early 20th century A.D. Before the 17th century vegetation was sparse and the climate apparently arid with seasonally extreme temperatures. Most equable conditions with good scrub and grass cover occurred during the 18th century at the time of European penetration of the area. The 19th century data show fluctuations in vegetation structure rather than long-term trends, with the implication that there was neither progressive desiccation nor a major farming impact during this time. In view of the presence throughout of both scrub and grass, it is suggested instead that there existed a dynamic interface between the Nama-Karoo and grassland biomes in this district rather than that the Nama-Karoo was progressively encroaching on the grassland.