Final answer:
The Sahara desert is not typically able to support large populations of grazing herbivores due to its arid conditions, with exceptions being marginal areas like the Sahel and oases where limited pastoral activities occur.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'The Sahara desert is able to support large populations of grazing herbivores' is generally False. The Sahara desert is characterized by its harsh and arid environment where water sources are scarce, covering vast expanses with sparse vegetation, which is generally unsuitable for supporting large populations of grazing herbivores.
However, there are exceptions in certain marginal areas like the Sahel, which is a transitional zone on the southern edge where annual rainfall is slightly higher, and in oases scattered throughout the desert which can harbor plant life and thus some fauna.
Oases cover about 0.02 percent of the Sahara's landmass and support some human settlement. Nomads, such as the Tuareg and Bedouin, have historically herded animals across the desert, utilizing the resources available in oases and the Sahel. Yet, the Sahara's capacity to support large herds is extremely limited due to its environmental constraints.
This has led to a nomadic lifestyle for the pastoralists who engage in herding activities on a restricted basis and often depend on trade and small-scale farming to supplement their diets.