Why are Plains zebras referred to as pioneer grazers in savanna ecosystems?

They consume the taller, coarser grasses that many other grazing species avoid, preparing the pasture

The designation of Plains zebra (*Equus quagga*) as pioneer grazers reflects their specific role in managing vegetation within the grassland and savanna. They have a dietary preference for the taller, rougher, and more fibrous grasses that often grow unchecked. By selectively consuming this coarse material, the Plains zebras effectively prune and reduce the density of the initial growth layer. This action subsequently makes the remaining pasture—which is now shorter and softer—more accessible and palatable for other herbivore species that follow them, thereby facilitating the feeding patterns of a wider variety of grazers.