BALANCE BETWEEN PEOPLE AND ECOSYSTEMS

Temperate grasslands, having less than one percent of protected lands, is the least protected biome in the entire world (Forrest).

      Several conservation organizations are making collaborate efforts in means of restoring the Temperate Grasslands. Organizations collaborating with WWF are targeting the most effective options toward biome preservation through the use of science and metrics(“Northern Great Plains”). Organizations can now target possible threats and changes through the utilization of certain scientific strategies. WWF may detect areas impacted by possible threats or areas that display high opportunity for conservation in order to prioritize their plans (“Northern Great Plains”).

WWF utilizes its resources in order to detect areas of high conservation opportunity. These strategies allow organizations to prioritize their future plans ("Northern Great Plains"). 

WWF uses strategic methods in order to detect possible threats in the ecosystem ("Northern Great Plains").

      Organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Northern Plains Conservation Network are working to minimize the impact of human activities upon the ecosystem within the Northern Great Plains. The WWF is working to ensure that public lands are protected against disturbances, like energy and crop production (“Northern Great Plains”). They are sharing their visions with land management directors at a local and national level (“Northern Great Plains”). Like the Northern Plains Conservation Network, other organizations are presenting landowners, tribes, and government officials with the possible benefits they may gain in joining the efforts to establish a balance between people and the ecosystem (“What We Do”). The NPCN is working to preserve grassland birds- birds that are said to be vital for economic, aesthetic, and cultural reasons (“What We Do”). This organization proposes the idea that changes made in land development, land use, and grazing policies may benefit grassland habitats and species (“What We Do”). Various factors may affect the development of the species; therefore, organizations are pushing for any prospective change. Some changes can even provide land owners and ranchers potential benefits at a minimal cost. The NPCN's endeavors also include the restoration of bison, whom were the dominant herbivore in North America (“What We Do”). Bison influenced the structure of the natural cycles within the ecosystem (“What We Do”). NPCN is contributing their full efforts in providing those who want to restore the bison population in the Northern Great Plains.
      Also, WWF is collaborating with ranchers in the effort to promote new market opportunities while exercising sustainability in the production of beef (“Northern Great Plains”). With these efforts, the grassland landscapes and farming communities have higher chances of prosperity. These deals allow for mutual benefits that may influence other industries to join the efforts of preserving the Great Northern Plains (“NORTH AMERICA’S NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS Restoring One of the World’s Premier Grassland Ecosystems”). The Wildlife Conservation Society also plays a grand role in monitoring the relationship between ranchers and Great Plains habitats. The WCS works with partners in order to identify how grassland conservation can be integrated into the lives of farmers ("Great Plains, USA & Canada").

FUTURE OF THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS

          Although an ecosystem sustained by innate change, the Northern Great Plains will demonstrate significant impact in the future due to modern changes that threaten the well being and natural development of the ecosystem (“Northern Great Plains”).

          The land's fertile farmland sustains the production of several crops. Grassland conversion into crops plays a significant role in the future of the Northern Great Plains. Wheat, corn, and soybeans are the major crops in the area. Wheat, taking up 1, 037, 843 acres of land, is the most produced crop in the Northern Great Plains(Rashford). Studies investigate the impacts of changes in crop prices, government payments and climate in order to obtain an enhanced understanding on the possibility of grassland conversion in the Northern Great Plains (Rashford).Grassland in North Dakota faces the greatest risk of grassland conversion due to the increase of price on corn (Rashford). If crop prices increase linearly until 2030, North and South Dakota are expected to lose 3 million acres of grassland to cropland; however, Montana, Wyoming, and Nebraska will maintain its grasslands (Rashford). By 2060, an additional 700,00 acres of grassland will disappear in North and South Dakota (Rashford). Government payments also influence landowners in making the decision to convert grassland into crops; thus, without government security, the Northern Great Plains would inhabit an additional 5.5 million acres of grassland (Rashford).

 This chart illustrates a comparison of the presence of cropland in the Northern Great Plains (Rashford).

          The grassland also faces great threat with the possibility of extreme climate change (“Northern Great Plains”). Areas that are predicted to become warmer and wetter are more likely to be chosen for cropland; whereas, regions that are expected to become warmer and drier are most likely to be safe from grassland conversion Rashford). Eastern Montana, an area currently suitable for cropland, may become much more appealing for cropland (Rashford).

          Without a doubt, grassland conversion and climate change significantly disturbs the biological cycles in the Northern Great Plains. Species that better prosper in certain habitats will be forced to migrate. These species will find it difficult to adapt to new environments that do not suit their chances for survival (Shafer). North Dakota hosts 40% of the 1 million waterfowl that settle in the region (Rashford). Waterfowls are expected to move from North Dakota to Montana and South Dakota; thus, implicating a greater significance on wetlands in these areas in order to protect the waterfowls (Rashford).

          If more changes are introduced into the ecosystem, the biological balances within the ecosystem will be disturbed and affect the species that are dependent on various natural factors. Human activities must find a manner to simultaneously exist with species that thrive within the ecosystem.