The stability of African pastoral ecosystems is a topic of significant debate, with two main paradigms: one that views these systems as potentially stable (equilibrial) and another that sees them as non-equilibrial but persistent. Jim Ellis and Dave Swift, prominent researchers in the field, challenge the equilibrial paradigm, arguing that many African pastoral ecosystems are not stable but instead persist through dynamic interactions with their environment. They emphasize that development policies based on the equilibrial paradigm often fail because they do not account for the complex, non-equilibrial dynamics of these systems. Ellis and Swift highlight that traditional pastoral strategies are often more effective in maintaining ecosystem stability than interventions that aim to restore equilibrial conditions. They argue that development practices that fail to recognize these dynamics can lead to increased deprivation and failure. Instead, they propose that development policies should support and facilitate traditional pastoral strategies rather than constrain them. The equilibrial paradigm assumes that pastoral systems are stable and that overstocking and overgrazing lead to degradation. However, research in northern Kenya shows that pastoral ecosystems are non-equilibrial but persistent, with dynamics influenced more by abiotic factors than biotic ones. This challenges the assumption that pastoral systems can be stabilized through structural changes like reducing livestock numbers or altering land tenure. Ellis and Swift also discuss the implications of the equilibrial paradigm for development. They argue that development practices based on this paradigm often fail because they do not account for the dynamic, non-equilibrial nature of pastoral ecosystems. Instead, they suggest that development should focus on accommodating system dynamics rather than trying to maintain equilibrial conditions. The paper also explores the role of climate in shaping pastoral ecosystems, noting that climate variability and droughts significantly impact plant production and livestock dynamics. It highlights that livestock play a minor role in regulating forage availability, with climate being the primary factor influencing vegetation dynamics. Finally, the paper discusses the persistence of pastoral systems in the face of environmental stress, noting that pastoralists have developed strategies to cope with droughts, such as expanding the spatial scale of exploitation and compensating for reduced livestock production through alternative food sources or reduced human demand. These strategies allow pastoralists to maintain their populations without degrading their ecosystems.The stability of African pastoral ecosystems is a topic of significant debate, with two main paradigms: one that views these systems as potentially stable (equilibrial) and another that sees them as non-equilibrial but persistent. Jim Ellis and Dave Swift, prominent researchers in the field, challenge the equilibrial paradigm, arguing that many African pastoral ecosystems are not stable but instead persist through dynamic interactions with their environment. They emphasize that development policies based on the equilibrial paradigm often fail because they do not account for the complex, non-equilibrial dynamics of these systems. Ellis and Swift highlight that traditional pastoral strategies are often more effective in maintaining ecosystem stability than interventions that aim to restore equilibrial conditions. They argue that development practices that fail to recognize these dynamics can lead to increased deprivation and failure. Instead, they propose that development policies should support and facilitate traditional pastoral strategies rather than constrain them. The equilibrial paradigm assumes that pastoral systems are stable and that overstocking and overgrazing lead to degradation. However, research in northern Kenya shows that pastoral ecosystems are non-equilibrial but persistent, with dynamics influenced more by abiotic factors than biotic ones. This challenges the assumption that pastoral systems can be stabilized through structural changes like reducing livestock numbers or altering land tenure. Ellis and Swift also discuss the implications of the equilibrial paradigm for development. They argue that development practices based on this paradigm often fail because they do not account for the dynamic, non-equilibrial nature of pastoral ecosystems. Instead, they suggest that development should focus on accommodating system dynamics rather than trying to maintain equilibrial conditions. The paper also explores the role of climate in shaping pastoral ecosystems, noting that climate variability and droughts significantly impact plant production and livestock dynamics. It highlights that livestock play a minor role in regulating forage availability, with climate being the primary factor influencing vegetation dynamics. Finally, the paper discusses the persistence of pastoral systems in the face of environmental stress, noting that pastoralists have developed strategies to cope with droughts, such as expanding the spatial scale of exploitation and compensating for reduced livestock production through alternative food sources or reduced human demand. These strategies allow pastoralists to maintain their populations without degrading their ecosystems.