William Beinart
Prickly Pear
- ISBN 13:
- 9781868145300
- author:
- William Beinart
- format:
- Paperback
- publisher:
- Wits University Press
- language:
- English
- Publication Year:
- 2012
- Pages:
- 280
- Dimensions:
- 17 x 23.9 x 1.5 centimetres (0.4
- Genre:
- Science, Nature, General,
- Condition:
- New
- Availability:
- Item usually sent within 10 working days
Description
Prickly Pear: A Social History of a Plant in the Eastern Cape by William Beinart explores the complex relationship between humans and a Mexican cactus that has become an integral part of life in rural South Africa. Over 200 years ago, this invasive species was introduced to the region, initially valued for its commercial livestock potential but later seen as a threat to farming interests. However, for impoverished communities in the Eastern Cape, prickly pear presented a different story - a source of income and survival. The book delves into the debates surrounding this plant's cultivation, exploring how human views of it have shifted over time. From eradication to conservation, Beinart examines the tensions between competing interests and the impact on biodiversity, shedding light on the intricate dynamics at play in this unique social history.
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