RESPONSES OF AFRICAN LIVESTOCK AND WILD HERBIVORES TO DROUGHT

The ways in which herbivores regulate their energy and water balance u nder hot, dry conditions are briefly reviewed. Cattle account for abou t two-thirds of the biomass of domestic stock in Africa, but their Eur asian origin means that their physiology and grazing behaviour are nor wholly adapted to the natural pastures and climate of Africa, especia lly when drought strikes. In general, most herbivores can withstand he at and water shortage quite well, provided conditions do not become ex treme. However, malnutrition will inevitably develop as pasture produc tivity declines under drought and overgrazing. This will affect most s eriously animals that cannot range far from water and that depend main ly on drought-susceptible grasses rather than on more resistant shrubs and trees. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.