Variability, heterogeneity, diversity and productivity in grazing systems.

This chapter focuses primarily on large vertebrate herbivores, and how the diversity and coexistence of these consumers may be related to the biodiversity and heterogeneity of the vegetation. Emphasis is given on the principles underlying diversity in diet optimization and resource use by mammalian herbivores, to examine how they exploit environmental heterogeneity and what effect this may have on species coexistence and abundance. It also explores the consequences of climatic variability, which has profound effects on primary and secondary production, effects which may increase under some climate change scenarios.