A vegetation history of the last 14 000 years on the Cederberg, south-western Cape Province

Fossil pollen analysis of sediments from two vleis in the Cederberg, southwestern Cape, is described. The analysis is supported by a modern pollen monitoring programme and discriminant analysis is applied to these data to enhance application to the fossil pollen material. Relatively little environmental change is apparent over the last 14,500 years. Subtle changes in the composition and distribution of fynbos communities on the Cederberg have occurred and may have some bearing on plant species richness. Human-induced disturbance, predating the arrival of European colonists, is due to changes in burning regimes by the Khoi-San. The history of Widdringtonia cedarbergensis is discussed; the recent decline in pollen frequencies is consistent with the idea of human exploitation of the tree.