North American Temperate Grasslands: Conservation at the Center of the Continent

Abstract

Grasslands dominate the central regional landscape of the North America, extending from the Canadian prairies south across the Chihuahuan Desert. We describe this grassland diversity, discussing common forms of ecological classification, and highlight the International Vegetation Classification. We then report on a series of analyses and a Landscape Conservation Design for temperate grassland conservation. We targeted 12 major grassland ecosystem types that occur across this region. Component analyses included: (a) documenting long-term trends in extent by grassland type, (b) assessing landscape intactness among grassland areas, and (c) identifying Grassland Potential Conservation Areas to advance grassland conservation. Most severe declines in grassland extent have occurred in tallgrass prairie types, followed by mixed-grass, shortgrass, and semi-desert grasslands. Similar trends by type were documented for landscape intactness and connectivity. A total of 177 Grassland Potential Conservation Areas (GPCAs) were identified to represent grassland type diversity in areas least likely to conflict with other land uses. Within identified GPCAs, type-specific representation varied from a low of just 1% of historic extent for Texas Blackland Tallgrass Prairie to a high of 27% for Western Great Plains Sand Prairie. Combined across all 12 grassland types, 15% of historic extent is represented.