Why Plant Diversity Matters in the Prairie

A few hundred years ago, South Dakota was covered in prairie. Buffalo roamed free, pollinators thrived on the nectar of wildflowers and birds nested in bunches of grass.

It wasn't just here. Rich grasslands once covered more than 700 million acres—or 31% of the United States. Now, much of that land has been converted for farming and development. This transformation has put grasslands and the many species it supports at risk.  

Only 17% of prairie remains unplowed in the United States. Our rangeland here in South Dakota is 90% prairie. Landowners have many tools on hand to help restore grasslands and ensure their future. 

The role of biodiversity

Biodiversity is a good indicator of healthy lands. Short for “biological diversity,” biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of all living organisms in an ecosystem. In South Dakota, a healthy prairie with lots of biodiversity supports diverse types of plants, animals and micro-organisms.

There are three different aspects to prairie plant diversity a landowner should consider when working to improve the land: species diversity, genetic diversity and phylogenetic diversity.

Species diversity

Species diversity is higher when there are more species within the same ecosystem. So instead of planting only switchgrass, you might opt for several types of grass.

In South Dakota grasslands, consider planting a mix of grasses, like switchgrass, bluestem, grama or wheatgrass.

Genetic diversity

Genetic diversity is the genetic variation within a single species.

For example, if you want to plant a native species, like Prairie Coneflower, seek out seeds from different sources. Populations of plants growing at different sites are likely to have developed different characteristics that adapt them to that site, which equates to differences in their genetic diversity. Genetic diversity can make a population more resilient to disturbance or a changing climate.

Phylogenetic diversity

Phylogenetic diversity is an assessment of how species in a community are related to each other. Choosing species from distantly related plant families can improve how our ecosystem functions.

For example, instead of only planting different species of grasses, add a range of wildflowers, legumes or sedges. Many of our native grasslands had more than 400 plant species living together.

Building more resilient grasslands

It takes some thought and planning, but by practicing diverse planting on your land, you can be a vital part in building more resilient grasslands. You are investing in the future of this critical ecosystem, supporting the pollinators and species that bring the richness to the soil where we live and work, for future generations.