Tomorrow’s Grassland
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Tomorrow’s Grassland
Benefits of Healthy Grasslands

Benefits of Healthy Grasslands

Healthy grasslands have diverse native plant communities, primarily grasses with a mixture of forbs and small shrubs. Trees are generally not part of a grassland system, although they may be found in canyons or draws, or along rivers.

With prairie plants, there is as much or more below the ground as there is above. The plant roots provide rich micro-environments that support insects and mammals — which in turn sustain other wildlife above the ground — and play an important role in providing clean air and water through carbon sequestration and water filtration.

As you’ll see below, grasslands provide critical habitat for wildlife and important benefits for the people who live in this region as well.

Pollinators

Pollinators

Grasslands support a wide variety of insects, including pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as grasshoppers, beetles, and moths. These insects play critical roles in pollination, nutrient cycling, and serving as a food source for other animals. In the United States, pollinators provide services estimated at four to six billion dollars annually.

Water

Water

Grasslands often include wetlands and riparian zones that are essential for filtering water and controlling floodwaters. Grasses help clean surface water and reduce soil erosion into nearby wetlands. The roots help maintain the structure of wetlands, rivers, and streams by keeping runoff from eroding soils and creating channels in the grasslands.

Carbon

Carbon

Grasslands play a role in carbon sequestration, which helps regulate climate. Grasses absorb carbon dioxide and store it in their roots, which are significantly longer than what is seen above ground. Even a short plant such as buffalo grass can have roots that grow six feet or longer.

Wildlife

Wildlife

Grasslands are home to a variety of birds, many of which are specially adapted to the open, expansive environment and rely on the grasses and open spaces for nesting, foraging, and breeding. Other wildlife such as pronghorn, deer, bison, and smaller mammals are also integral to grassland ecosystems. The dense vegetation also provides shelter for many species, offering protection from predators.

Rangeland

Rangeland

Large blocks of native grass are often found on ranches and support livestock. Managed grazing can be a sustainable way to maintain grasslands while keeping working lands working. Grasslands are also home to a variety of soil-dwelling organisms that aid in nutrient cycling, contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem and supporting the plants and animals that depend on it.