The short-grass ecosystem receives less rain then the tall-grass, at 12 to 15 inches per year. Drought resistant plant species, such as some cactus, call the short-grass prairie home. These plants have the ability to store water or delay seed germination to survive the dry season on the plains. The grass itself is short, hence the ecosystem's name. A plant ensures its survival by capping off growth, thus conserving valuable water resources.
The eastern U.S. is home to the tall-grass ecosystem. Bluestem, Indiangrass and switchgrass are all species of grasses that grace the landscape of the American Midwest. As the name denotes, these grasses are taller than their short-grass cousins in the west. The rainfall over the eastern plains is over double the amount of western rainfall, allowing the plants longer growth periods and a more abundant selection of species.
The expansion of cities and industrial farming have all but decimated the prairie ecosystems. Large sections of the Great Plains are home to farms that have replaced natural grasses with crops such as corn. The chemicals used to fertilize and protect crops from insects are absorbed by the soil. This could hamper the growth of new grasses. The eradication of the grasslands has also led to the endangerment of animal species. Prairie chickens and bison herds that once populated the ecosystems are rare sights.
Research continues on the effects of human activity on prairie habitats. Scientists hope to obtain information on ecosystem health by recording the survival rate of animal species. Some states have already taken action by instituting laws protecting grassland species. Humanity's need to produce food places difficult demands on the grassland ecosystems. Conservationists and farmers alike share an interest in protecting the land, but the future of the prairie is yet to be determined.