Grazing systems are a result of equilibrium and non-equilibrium dynamics

Paradigms about desertification and non-equilibrium dynamics are currently dominating discussions about rangeland and pastoralist systems in semi-arid and and zones. Climate variability is a major determinant of the dynamics of these systems and the deleterious consequences of this variability are increased for pastoralists for whom traditional mechanisms for coping with drought are increasingly limited. Differential application and interpretation of terminology that relates ecological processes to climatic variability are hampering the unification of research efforts across disciplines. Here we argue that it would be beneficial to resolve these differences by the correct use of terms introduced in the early development of the ecological theory pertaining to these systems. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.