Great Plains ecosystems: past, present, and future

摘要: Little question exists that the main bodies of North American prairie (i.e., tall-grass, mixed, and shortgrass) are among most endangered resources on continent. The purpose this paper is to provide a past present biological baseline by which understand prairies platform for future conservation. Events both immediate end Pleistocene historic suggest grassland conditions different from those within organisms evolved. Our analysis suggests few landscapes remain adequate in area distribution sustain diversity sufficient include biota ecological drivers native landscape. A robust history-based scenario conserve Great Plains grasslands 1) identify areas large enough an system with all its biodiversity, 2) reverse significant losses grasslands, 3) ensure restoration matches previously existing at site, 4) refocus profession range management, 5) establish more meaningful agency design natural resource management.