Utilisation of Woody Plants by the Cape Porcupine in Mesic Savannas in South Africa.

Herbivory plays a fundamental role in determining the structure of savannas. The impacts of small and medium-sized mammalian herbivores on trees in savannas remain poorly understood because most research attention focuses on large herbivores such as elephants whose destructive effects on trees can be pervasive at landscape scales. On the other hand, feeding activities of generalist herbivores such as Cape porcupines on woody plants can lead to tree mortality.