Small Ruminant Research, 6 ( 1991 ) 199-215 199 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam Goats or scapegoats the overgrazing controversy in Piura, Peru A. Perevolotsky Department of Natural Resources, Agricultural Research Organisation, The Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel (Accepted 15 February 1991 ) ABSTRACT Perevoiotsky, A. 1991. Goats or scapegoats-- the overgrazing controversy in Piura, Peru. SmallRumin. Res. 6: 199-215. Claims that goats overgraze the despoblados of Piura in northwestern Peru and induce severe de- pletion of resources were examined from biological and human perspectives. The validity of over- grazing reports in Piura is questioned. It has been suggested that in dry savanna, extensively managed livestock herding is not likely to cause long-term overgrazing. The response of the savanna to drought can be confused with that of severe grazing, thus making an overgrazing controversy more complex. Among the factors contributing to an anti-goat atmosphere are: cultural prejudice, scientific bias, resource-control politics, bureaucratic politics and socio-economic conflicts. Relevance of these as- pects within the Piuran and Peruvian context is discussed. INTRODUCTION Overgrazing is one of the serious problems associated with livestock pro- duction and implies excessive use of forage that reduces present and future range productivity. Overgrazing involves a decline in pasture productivity combined with a replacement of palatable species by unpalatable ones, usu- ally leading to a decrease in the livestock operation's economic return. Re- duced vegetation cover can lead to soil erosion, loss of fertile soil and habitat degradation that cannot be reversed for decades or centuries (Stoddart et al, 1975). Overgrazing in the developing world is related to limited technology and capital, along with socio-cultural and political constraints, making efficient range management difficult (Norton, 1976). Many modern, technologically advanced grazing systems may over-exploit and deplete resources (Sheridan, 1981 ). There is evidence that traditional pastoral societies developed socio- cultural mechanisms aimed at regulating grazing pressure or preventing over- 0921-4488/91/$03.50 © 1991 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All rights reserved.