William J. Bond, Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa

William Bond is an Emeritus Professor in Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town. He served as Chief Scientist for the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) from 2014 to 2018. He is an ecologist with broad interests in the processes most strongly influencing vegetation change in the past and present, including fire, vertebrate herbivory, atmospheric CO2, and climate change. In addition, Professor Bond has worked on plant-animal mutualisms and on plant form and function. Particular research interests include grasslands and savannas, and winter-rainfall shrublands. He has served on the Boards of the South African National Botanical Institute and of Cape Nature and on the editorial boards of several journals. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications and co-authored three books. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa and was made a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences in 2013.

"Open Ecosystems was a fascinating read, packed with authoritative evidence, personal observations and experimental support across the globe. The content makes out, and often challenges, a solid body of past and novel ecological hypotheses, presented in a rather coherent manner. The ultimate strength of this book is that it clearly defines research gaps and provides important guidelines for future research aimed at an improved understanding of OEs." -- F. Siebert, North-West University, South Africa, Bothalia

"this interesting and well-written book draws readers into the ecological issues that matter most to open ecosystems: climate mismatches, fossil records that support their origins, soil factors that lead to openness, fire and adaptations to it, and herbivory . . . Overall, the volume is excellent, and presents a thorough review of ecological factors that keep open ecosystems open . . . It is my hope that the fascinating details in this book will garner a greater appreciation for open ecosystems by students, scientists, and members of the general public." -- Brian J. Wilsey, Iowa State University, The Quarterly Review of Biology

"...its content is essential for any practitioner seeking a holistic understanding of African rangelands, and important policy issues are addressed. This book deserves to be read by anyone with an interest in open African ecosystems." -- : Tim G O'Connor, SAEON, Hilton, South Africa, African Journal of Range & Forage Science