Browsing Herbivore–Woody Plant Interactions in Savannas

Abstract

This chapter focuses on individual plant responses and browsers other than African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Positive feedback between herbivores and plants are characterized by increased productivity and food value of plants as a result of herbivory. The chapter reviews effects of browsing on shoot growth, spinescence, nutrients, and phenolics at the individual and sub-individual scale in African savannas. It presents remarks on the extent to which positive feedback loops between woody plants and browsers occur in African savannas. Evidence of demographic processes being altered for different species of woody plants would suggest that selective browsing triggers compositional and structural changes. The chapter reviews effects of browsing on recruitment, mortality, and community composition and structure. As browsing intensifies on fine-leaved species, shoot biting increases, which stimulates the growth of new shoots and limits the amount of carbon available for phenolics.