Great Plains: A Natural History
Post by Clemson Montana Summer Program student Caroline Wolfe
Throughout the four days that we
explored the different regions of the northern prairie, our professor made sure
to point out how the differences in topography influence the type of species
that are found in that area. For example, lands that are relatively flat with a
slight slope are dominated by grass species such as Bluegrass, June grass, and
the invasive species Crested wheatgrass. The shrub species are mainly Sagebrush
and Greasewood. The reason that these species are able to dominate flat lands
has to due with the relative exposure to the sun. With no area that is shielded
from the harsh sunlight, there is a little amount of water to spare from the
rapid rate of evaporation. Since grass is able to die back and lay dormant
until a sufficient amount of rain comes, this allows it to spring back to life
when the conditions are right instead of perishing as a tree would have.
Despite its barren look, these grass-dominated areas are very important to a
multitude of species. 
Aside from grasslands, there are
areas that are dominated by trees. These areas occur where the land has a steep
slope, which allows the flow of water to slow down enough for the plants to
take up a significant amount of water. The steep slope also causes the area to
receive a lesser amount of sunlight, which prevents the water from evaporating
rapidly. However, the direction of the slope, also referred to as aspect,
influences the water availability in that area. Slopes that face in the
direction of southwest tend to not have any trees on them even though the slope
is relatively steep. This is from being in the northern hemisphere, thus the
sun is always towards the southern part of the sky. Since rays are coming from
the southern direction, this, in turn, causes the sides of mountains facing the
same direction to be the hottest. Another factor to consider when looking at
the landscape is if the slope is facing east or west. Once the sun begins to
set across the west, this time of day tends to be the hottest since the sun has
had the opportunity to gain heat throughout the day. Due to this, slopes facing
southwest are the driest because they get the direct rays from the south and
the temperature of the atmosphere is heated to its peak from the prolonged
exposure of rays. On slopes like this grassland dominates as the vegetation
since they’re able to cope with the dry conditions.
When we looked at multiple
established colonies, there were two areas that were vastly different from each
other. The area around the first colony we were shown looked desolated with
little vegetation. The reason behind its bareness exposes the turmoil behind
the different views of Prairie dogs in the west. Most ranchers viewed and still
view Prairie dogs as a nuisance that is a threat to their livestock. The reason
that this particular colony was able to persist is because the land was not
fertile enough for ranchers to grow crops or graze livestock, so there was no
reason for them to get rid of the Prairie dogs. Since the area they established
on is naturally not a very fertile piece of land, this makes it appear as if
the Prairie dogs are degrading the landscape. When someone isn’t clearly given
the history of the land, they’ll begin to think that Prairie dogs have negative
impacts on the land that they inhabit. However, Prairie dogs have the exact
opposite effect on the land they inhabit. By constantly grazing the land around
them in order to see predators, this causes the grass to reallocate their
resources from roots to above ground biomass. This reallocation of resources
causes the new shoots to be rich in nitrogen and very nutritious to the animal
consuming it, which could in turn also benefit the ranchers and their
livestock.
A certain species that relies on
Prairie dogs is Bison. At first, it seems odd that an almost one-ton herbivore
could rely on such a small animal. However, since the Prairie dogs increase the
nutritional value of the grass, it makes sense for the Bison to gravitate
towards Prairie dog colonies where they’ll be able to gain more weight than if
they were to graze in an area without Prairie dogs. In turn from the Bison
grazing there, they also benefit the Prairie dogs by giving nutrients back to
the soil from urinating and excreting feces. This odd relationship shows how
the prairie has many intricate relationships that are not obvious to an
untrained eye.
When
I flew over Montana and looked at the landscape, it began to take on an immense
change. There were high mountains that reminded me of when I first flew over
the German Alps, with peaks that were covered in snow despite the fact it was
early June. When we began driving across Montana it wasn’t difficult to notice
the change in the landscape from South Carolina. To many it may seem that the
land is dominated by only a few species of grass and shrubs. However, as
someone who wishes to become a botanist and loves to identify plants, I can see
the differences in each type of grass, shrubs, and the few trees that comprise
the prairie.
Throughout the four days that we
explored the different regions of the northern prairie, our professor made sure
to point out how the differences in topography influence the type of species
that are found in that area. For example, lands that are relatively flat with a
slight slope are dominated by grass species such as Bluegrass, June grass, and
the invasive species Crested wheatgrass. The shrub species are mainly Sagebrush
and Greasewood. The reason that these species are able to dominate flat lands
has to due with the relative exposure to the sun. With no area that is shielded
from the harsh sunlight, there is a little amount of water to spare from the
rapid rate of evaporation. Since grass is able to die back and lay dormant
until a sufficient amount of rain comes, this allows it to spring back to life
when the conditions are right instead of perishing as a tree would have.
Despite its barren look, these grass-dominated areas are very important to a
multitude of species. 
Aside from grasslands, there are
areas that are dominated by trees. These areas occur where the land has a steep
slope, which allows the flow of water to slow down enough for the plants to
take up a significant amount of water. The steep slope also causes the area to
receive a lesser amount of sunlight, which prevents the water from evaporating
rapidly. However, the direction of the slope, also referred to as aspect,
influences the water availability in that area. Slopes that face in the
direction of southwest tend to not have any trees on them even though the slope
is relatively steep. This is from being in the northern hemisphere, thus the
sun is always towards the southern part of the sky. Since rays are coming from
the southern direction, this, in turn, causes the sides of mountains facing the
same direction to be the hottest. Another factor to consider when looking at
the landscape is if the slope is facing east or west. Once the sun begins to
set across the west, this time of day tends to be the hottest since the sun has
had the opportunity to gain heat throughout the day. Due to this, slopes facing
southwest are the driest because they get the direct rays from the south and
the temperature of the atmosphere is heated to its peak from the prolonged
exposure of rays. On slopes like this grassland dominates as the vegetation
since they’re able to cope with the dry conditions.
Throughout the plains, there are
many species that specialize in grassland areas. Prairie dogs are a very
important species that rely on grasslands as their habitat. They need
grasslands so they are able to eat the vegetation around them for food and they
are able to maintain the area. The reason that they need to be able to keep the
grass down to a low height is so they will feel more comfortable in their
habitat. The reason behind this affiliation is because if the grass is too tall
then they are not able to see over it and keep a lookout for predators. Also, if
an area is composed of too many shrubs or trees, they will not be able to establish
or expand their colony because they are unable to trim back the larger plants.
This shows the importance of specific types of habitat to the structure of
prairie ecosystems.
When we looked at multiple
established colonies, there were two areas that were vastly different from each
other. The area around the first colony we were shown looked desolated with
little vegetation. The reason behind its bareness exposes the turmoil behind
the different views of Prairie dogs in the west. Most ranchers viewed and still
view Prairie dogs as a nuisance that is a threat to their livestock. The reason
that this particular colony was able to persist is because the land was not
fertile enough for ranchers to grow crops or graze livestock, so there was no
reason for them to get rid of the Prairie dogs. Since the area they established
on is naturally not a very fertile piece of land, this makes it appear as if
the Prairie dogs are degrading the landscape. When someone isn’t clearly given
the history of the land, they’ll begin to think that Prairie dogs have negative
impacts on the land that they inhabit. However, Prairie dogs have the exact
opposite effect on the land they inhabit. By constantly grazing the land around
them in order to see predators, this causes the grass to reallocate their
resources from roots to above ground biomass. This reallocation of resources
causes the new shoots to be rich in nitrogen and very nutritious to the animal
consuming it, which could in turn also benefit the ranchers and their
livestock.
Even though most ranchers believe
Prairie dogs will have a negative impact on their livestock, they need to
realize the potential benefits Prairie dogs could bring to their ranch. From
the increase in the nutritional value of each blade of grass, they would be
able to house more livestock per acre of land. This would allow them to use
their land more efficiently and increase their profits. Conflicts such, as this
is what is prohibiting Prairie dogs from being properly protected from being
killed off through poison and shooting. It also creates an issue with trying to
create a habitable area that is large enough to support a sizable colony that
is able to support other species that rely directly on Prairie dogs.
A certain species that relies on
Prairie dogs is Bison. At first, it seems odd that an almost one-ton herbivore
could rely on such a small animal. However, since the Prairie dogs increase the
nutritional value of the grass, it makes sense for the Bison to gravitate
towards Prairie dog colonies where they’ll be able to gain more weight than if
they were to graze in an area without Prairie dogs. In turn from the Bison
grazing there, they also benefit the Prairie dogs by giving nutrients back to
the soil from urinating and excreting feces. This odd relationship shows how
the prairie has many intricate relationships that are not obvious to an
untrained eye.
These connections show how the type
of habitat and animals that are found in a certain area all depend on the
simple factor of what kind of the landscape it originates on. After traveling
to various parts of the northern prairie throughout Montana, these
relationships have begun to appear more and more apparent to me as we drive
across the landscapes and see the ever-changing scenery that makes up the prairie.
