The production of animals depends mainly on the defoliation of plants. Plants and animals are dependent on each other, although a plant may be more self-supporting than an animal. The most obvious dependence is that of the animal on the plant.
It is further important to see defoliation on grazing as a natural phenomenon, but then one must clearly distinguish between grazing and over-grazing. Over-grazing for short periods may even be regarded as something natural, but not continuous (prolonged) overgrazing. In general, grasses are quite well adapted to grazing or cutting. Although grazing is always connected to veld deterioration, it is not grazing but overgrazing that is responsible.
Seen from the viewpoint of the plant it must be kept in mind that the plant must supply its demands as well as the demands of the grazing animal.