This book consists of chapters that examine a wide range of topics concerning the ecology of the little known, arid karoo of South Arica: "a vast region of rugged landscapes and low treeless vegetation" (p xxi). The karoo has a very high level of species diver sity and endemism, particularly the flora that "probably exceeds 7000 species of which up to 50% are endemic" (p 44). This fact alone makes the karoo an extremely interesting ecological system suitable of book-length treatment, particularly if it is well done, as in this case.