Midwestern Prairie

Grasslands make up the largest habitat in North America and cover about one-quarter of the Earth’s surface.  There are many different types of grasslands, each with its own descriptive name.  Prairie, found in North America, is from the French word for “meadow;” steppes, found in Asia, is Russian for “flat, grassy plain;” pampas, found in South America, is from Quechua meaning “flat surface;” and veldt, found in Africa, is from Afrikaans meaning “field.”  In all of these areas, grasslands are characterized by flat or gently rolling countryside.

From upper left: The African veldt by Cello8, May 2007; Sunrise on the Mongolian steppes by Nicolas Mirguet, Apr 2011; Pampas grasslands, Uruguay, South America by Guilherme Boettcher, May 2010; Nachusa Grasslands, Lee County, Illinois by Justin Meissen, Jul 2007

Prairies in Illinois were formed by the action of glaciers retreating northward at the end of the last ice age.  Massive ice fields compacted the soils and flattened the landscape.  Many areas retained much of the melting ice in ponds, creeks, and rivers.  These provided much needed moisture to help establish the new flush of vegetation that moved in as the climate warmed.

Several different types of prairies can be found, differentiated by the mixture of grasses and flowering plants, called forbs.  We classify prairies as wet, mesic, meaning moderately moist, or dry.  The determination is made based on how much water is retained in soil layers, but can be greatly influenced by temperature, rainfall amounts, and fire.  Grasses have narrow leaves, can grow in drier environments, and are the dominant plant type in most prairies.  Forbs have broad leaves and require more moisture than grasses.  Prairie plants often have deep root systems to access water and nutrients.

From upper left: Big Bluestem, Andropogon gerardii by Matt Lavin, Sep 2019; Rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium by Adam B, Jan 2017; Grey coneflower seed heads, Ratabida pinnata by JanetandPhil, Nov 2010; Frosty Prairie dock, Silphium terebinthinaceum by Anne McCormack, Dec 2010; Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans by Douglas Mills, Sep 2015

Animals that inhabit midwestern prairies are adapted to this habitat.  They are able to find water and food in drier conditions, when water is scarce.  They avoid the hazards of fire sweeping across the landscape.  They keep warm during cold winter months.  They avoid predators in a landscape with few hiding spaces.  Many species are able to burrow underground for warmth, to avoid fire, and to escape predators.  Others live near the ground in thicker vegetation that provides cover from wind, cold, and attack.

From upper left: American toad, Bufo americanus by Alan Huett, Jul 2008; Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis by Joshua Mayer, Jul 2015; Thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus by ChristaR., Nov 2016; Prairie kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster by Peter Paplanus, May 2022; Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius by Wendy Miller, Dec 2010

At this time of year, prairie plants are starting to go dormant and many bird species are migrating southward to warmer climates where food and water is abundant.  It is a great time to get out and observe plants as they set seed and surprise us with the many hues of autumn.  Birds are abundant as flocks fly overhead on their migration.  Birds that spend the winter here are searching for areas that will provide seed and cover during the coming cooler months.  Other animals are out to gather plants for insulation in their winter dens or seeds to store in their larder.  Keep your eyes and ears open as you walk the prairie paths this month.