Buffalo (Bison bison), Iowa, USA Photograph by Gary D. Tonhouse   Central North America: Central United States Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands   95,900 square miles (248,400 square kilometers) -- about the size of Oregon Critical/Endangered

· Fed by Rain
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Fed by Rain

The Central Tall Grasslands are the wettest of the North American grasslands, receiving about 39 inches (100 cm) of rain each year. Plenty of rain and a long growing season create lush conditions for plants. The Central Tall Grasslands must have been one of the most beautiful ecoregions of North America in its original state--until large-scale conversion to farmland.

Special Features

This ecoregion gets its name from the tall grasses that once grew all over this area. These species of grass can reach more than 7 feet (2 m) in height! About 265 herbaceous plant species make up most of the tallgrass prairie in Iowa; 237 species were recorded in a square mile near Lincoln, Nebraska, and 225 species were recorded in the Missouri Valley. Unlike the soils of the Flint Hills Tall Grasslands that borders this ecoregion, the soils of the Central Tall Grasslands were easily converted to use in farming. Historically, fire and drought and grazing by bison and other ungulates were principle sources of disturbance here, which were necessary to maintain the grassland characteristics of the region.

	Before being settled by pioneers and converted to farms, this was the largest tallgrass prairie on Earth.

Wild Side

In addition to big bluestem, switchgrass, and Indian grass, brightly flowering broad-leaved plants made this a beautiful ecoregion. Bison and elk once roamed this area in large numbers, feeding off the plentiful grasses. They were hunted by prairie wolves. Because of hunting and loss of prairie for crops, these animals can no longer be found here.

Cause for Concern

Because this region has such rich soils, it is a prime location for farming and now is covered with fields of corn and soybeans. This area is called the "Corn Belt" of the United States. Virtually all of the habitat has been converted to crops or is used for grazing domestic animals.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.