Factors Influencing the Consumption of Plant Products by Large Herbivores

Abstract

Some 44 large herbivore species of 29 genera frequent African savanna ecosystems, of which 31 species from 24 genera can be regarded as typical savanna inhabitants (Table 1). These species are all ungulates (orders Artiodactyla and Perissodactyla), if this term is stretched a little to include also elephants (Proboscidea). The ostrich Struthio camelus should perhaps also be included here, but will not be considered Further. Primates are also excluded, since folivores are restricted to forest or montane grassland habitats. Here, the term savanna refers broadly to a mixed community of grassland and trees, ranging from the semi-arid Acacia-dominated savannas of the Kalahari and parts of Namibia, through to the more open forms of the broad-leaf central African woodlands. Excluded are virtually treeless grasslands and shrub steppes, and denser woodlands and forests where grasses are an insignificant component.