prairie grasslands
Vast grassy plains
Prairie grasslands are expansive, mostly treeless ecosystems dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, found in temperate regions with moderate rainfall.
In North America, prairies once stretched from Canada through the Great Plains to Texas before widespread agricultural conversion.
The term emphasizes the grass-dominated character of these landscapes: Prairie grasslands support bison, pronghorn, and countless bird species.
Prairie and grassland are often used interchangeably, though prairie specifically refers to North American examples.
- bisonLarge wild ox
- Great PlainsCentral North American grassland
- wide open spacesExpansive uncluttered landscapes
- windAir current outdoors
- High PlainsSemi-arid western American tableland
sea of grass · amber waves · soil · needlegrass · carbon sequestration · Missouri River · ecological restoration · milkweed · meadowlark · grass roots · biodiversity hotspots · prescribed burns · pioneer settlement · burrowing owl · rancher · flatland · dust · savanna
- North American ecologyRocky Mountains, Appalachians, Great Plains, Great Lakes, Everglades
- Western CanadaAlberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Edmonton, Calgary
- Montana Hi-LineMalta, Glasgow, Shelby, Chester, Conrad
- Western MinnesotaMontevideo, Worthington, Morris, Appleton, Benson
- Heartland Recreationfishing, boating, camping, hiking, hunting
- Missouri RiverMissouri River, Bismarck, Pierre, Omaha, Kansas City
prairie grasslandsforest
Tree-dense ecosystem
dense forest · rainforest · jungle · tropical rainforest · woodland
prairie grasslandsdesert
To leave behind completely
sand dunes · Sahara · badlands · tundra · polar desert
prairie grasslandsurban landscape
Built environment's appearance
cityscape · metropolis · industrial zone · suburban sprawl · parking lot