Grazing animals in drylands

Grazing by domestic livestock (typically cattle but also sheep and goats) is the most widespread land-use in drylands globally and a large proportion of dryland residents can be characterized as subsistence agropastoralists.  Improper grazing in drylands, particularly during drought, can negatively impact plant productivity, soil erosion, water capture, and downstream water quantity and quality.  Of particular concern is potentially irreversible ecosystem changes brought about by these scenarios.