shortgrass

Shortgrass refers to grasses that remain relatively short in stature, as contrasted with tall grasses. In ecology, the term is commonly applied to the shortgrass prairie, a semi-arid grassland ecosystem of the western Great Plains in North America. It occurs from parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan through eastern Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and into the Texas Panhandle and northern Mexico, with drier areas extending into eastern New Mexico and western Texas. Precipitation in this region is generally low and seasonal, supporting grasses adapted to drought and grazing.

Dominant species include blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides), along with other short-stature grasses such as needle grasses and various native forbs that thrive in low- to moderate-nutrient soils. The vegetation forms a tufted to sod-forming ground cover that resprouts quickly after disturbance.

Ecologically, shortgrass prairies are maintained by a combination of fire, grazing, and climate. Fire cycles and grazing pressure prevent encroachment by woody plants and maintain open swards. Species are adapted to drought, with deep or extensive root systems that conserve soil moisture and stabilize soils on loams and fine sands.

Human use centers on grazing and agricultural conversion. The mostly forage-based ecosystem supports cattle and sheep, especially in drought-prone years. Restoration efforts focus on reestablishing native shortgrass species, controlled burns, and sustainable grazing to conserve biodiversity and soil health.

Threats include land conversion to agriculture, overgrazing, and disturbance altering fire regimes. Invasive species and climate variability also threaten resilience, though with proper management, shortgrass prairies can recover and remain productive resources for rangeland ecosystems.