Are the communal grazing lands in need of saving?

Abstract

The condition, productivity and profitability of the communal grasslands in the southern African ‘homelands’ are assessed by review of the published data. There is very little empirical data from the communal grasslands themselves. These data, supported by other circumstantial evidence, do not support the often‐held notion that the communal grasslands are severely degraded and beyond recovery. This is especially so for the moist and mesic areas of southern Africa. Results from the arid areas are variable.

Notes

I would like to gratefully acknowledge constructive criticism of earlier drafts of this paper by my WRF colleagues, R Robinson and two anonymous referees.

Wits Rural Facility, Klaserie. and the Centre for African Ecology, University of the Witwaters‐rand.