Grassland ecosystems cover roughly 40% of the United States and consist of a mixture of native-dominated rangelands and human derived pasture systems. Grasslands are important to humans as a source of forage for grazing animals, alternative sources of fuel, green space in urban and suburban areas, and as wildlife and pollinator habitat.
Tallgrass prairie is important for biodiversity maintenance, recreation, and pollinator habitat. Although remnant unplowed prairie is now rare in the Midwest, restored (reconstructed) prairies are widespread and abundant.