ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors investigate the place of pastoralism and ranching in human ecology, and their effect on the soil which supports them. In these areas the shortage of grass is acute, yet as long as the Masai can get their cattle to water every other day, they seem to be satisfied, although the cattle may nevertheless die of starvation. The problem which arises from grazing public land is a worldwide phenomenon: the authors find it, not only in the USA and East Africa, but also in all the other grassland regions of the Old and New Worlds. The plains herbivores are finely adapted to their environment and can live in equilibrium with the delicately balanced ecosystems they have discussed. The increase of herds beyond the grazing capacity of common land is a worldwide phenomenon, the authors have described it among the Masai and on the western ranges of the USA.
