31% - 43%
of the Earth’s surface consists of Grassland ecosystems. That’s between 41 million and 56 million square kilometers.
Grasslands: A Hidden Wilderness
7% - 10%
of the world’s grassland is in North America’s central grassland region. That’s one-fifth of the continent’s landmass.
Native prairie is a grasslands ecosystem. Grasslands represent one of the earth’s major biomes and, historically at least, are one of the most productive and diverse terrestrial ecosystems. This framework applies to native aquatic and terrestrial habitats within our southern treaty territories, which includes four eco-regions: Aspen Parkland, Moist-Mixed Grassland, Mixed Grassland and Cypress Upland.
For deeper a understanding that could spark engagement in native prairie conservation, you can watch the following Nature of Things episode called, “Grasslands: A Hidden Wilderness” over on CBC Gem.
https://gem.cbc.ca/media/the-nature-of-things/season-59/episode-2/38e815a-011b3e1a216
79% - 83%
of Saskatchewan’s original native prairie has been torn up and converted into farmland.
1%
of North America’s surface remains tall-grass prairie, and it’s still shrinking.
Main Features
Our natural prairie vegetation is dominated by grasses such as spear grasses, wheat grasses and blue grama grass. Drier sites in the southwest support sparser grass cover with abundant prickly pear and sagebrush. Northward and eastward from the mixed grassland, moisture deficits can be less severe and droughts less prolonged. Here “mid-grass”-dominated mixed grasslands alternate with plains rough fescue grasslands, more extensive shrublands, aspen grove woodlands, and wetlands. The aspen parkland, the northern transition zone to the boreal forest, has expanded south into former grassland areas as European settlement sought to snuff out natural born fires on the prairies.
Grasslands Under Threat
Grasslands are one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems, making them a conservation priority. In North America, tall-grass prairie has been reduced to 1%, and mixed-grass and short-grass prairie to 20-30% of their former range, together exceeding losses reported for any other major ecological community on the continent. In Saskatchewan, it is estimated that between 17% and 21% of the original native prairie remains intact. Despite increasing awareness of the value of healthy prairie ecosystems, loss of native prairie continues.
Why It Matters
Our remaining native prairie is a valuable resource that touches many lives and many interest groups. Some, such as ranchers, rely on the sustainable use of prairie for their very livelihood. For others, native prairie may be of cultural, spiritual or recreational importance. Many landowners, government and non-government agencies play a role in the stewardship and protection of native prairie as well, representing many interests. Integrating these efforts and defining common outcomes among the players is fundamental to effective prairie conservation.
Species At Risk
Animals
Click to learn more about the many species of prairie fauna currently facing an existential threat.
Wetlands
Beyond the prairie, Saskatchewan is also home to lush and vibrant wetlands. These play an equally vital role in sustaining the native biodiversity of the region. Click to learn more.
Plants
A number of prairie flora species are at risk of going extinct. Click to learn more.
Your Turn
Take the following quizzes to test your knowledge and understanding Native Prairie conservation efforts
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