Podcast
Questions and Answers
What type of ecosystem used to exist across much of the United States from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains?
What type of ecosystem used to exist across much of the United States from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains?
- Tundra
- Rainforest
- Prairie (correct)
- Desert
Which Act in 1862 gave Euro-Americans an opportunity to own land that was previously the ancestral land of many Native American nations?
Which Act in 1862 gave Euro-Americans an opportunity to own land that was previously the ancestral land of many Native American nations?
- The Homestead Act (correct)
- The Agricultural Act
- The Land Ownership Act
- The Settlement Act
What did early Euro-American settlers primarily convert the prairie land to for use?
What did early Euro-American settlers primarily convert the prairie land to for use?
- Protected wildlife reserves
- Agricultural use (correct)
- Residential areas
- Commercial forests
What is one of the critical roles of the prairie ecosystem mentioned in the text?
What is one of the critical roles of the prairie ecosystem mentioned in the text?
In addition to fertile soil, what other ecosystem service does the prairie provide according to the text?
In addition to fertile soil, what other ecosystem service does the prairie provide according to the text?
What type of activity did early Euro-Americans engage in across the open expanse of the Great Plains according to the text?
What type of activity did early Euro-Americans engage in across the open expanse of the Great Plains according to the text?
What major economic activity is mentioned as providing jobs and food in the prairie ecosystem?
What major economic activity is mentioned as providing jobs and food in the prairie ecosystem?
How many American bison were estimated to be in population around 1800?
How many American bison were estimated to be in population around 1800?
What does the bison population graph show regarding their numbers over time?
What does the bison population graph show regarding their numbers over time?
In what way were bison identified in the prairie ecosystem by scientists?
In what way were bison identified in the prairie ecosystem by scientists?
What were the primary sources of impacts by human activities on the bison population?
What were the primary sources of impacts by human activities on the bison population?
Why is the prairie ecosystem considered significant beyond economic activities?
Why is the prairie ecosystem considered significant beyond economic activities?
What is the main goal of the American Prairie Reserve conservation plan?
What is the main goal of the American Prairie Reserve conservation plan?
How might adding additional protected lands contribute to the 30 by 30 Initiative?
How might adding additional protected lands contribute to the 30 by 30 Initiative?
How do bison potentially impact cattle when they graze on public lands?
How do bison potentially impact cattle when they graze on public lands?
What right do ranchers have regarding grazing on public lands?
What right do ranchers have regarding grazing on public lands?
Why might a higher biodiversity of herbivores be predicted when bison are present?
Why might a higher biodiversity of herbivores be predicted when bison are present?
In what way does the American Prairie Reserve aim to connect lands?
In what way does the American Prairie Reserve aim to connect lands?
What type of relationship exists between the pronghorn population and the coyote population in the model?
What type of relationship exists between the pronghorn population and the coyote population in the model?
In the context of bison removal from the prairie ecosystem, what effect would you predict on the system based on the information provided?
In the context of bison removal from the prairie ecosystem, what effect would you predict on the system based on the information provided?
What is the difference in grass cover between areas with and without bison in the study?
What is the difference in grass cover between areas with and without bison in the study?
Based on the information provided, what could account for the different levels of forb plants in areas with and without bison?
Based on the information provided, what could account for the different levels of forb plants in areas with and without bison?
How do scientists believe maintaining and increasing biodiversity contributes to conserving ecosystems?
How do scientists believe maintaining and increasing biodiversity contributes to conserving ecosystems?
What do the red lines and blue lines represent in the model of the prairie ecosystem?
What do the red lines and blue lines represent in the model of the prairie ecosystem?
How do residents feel about having ranches sold to the reserve?
How do residents feel about having ranches sold to the reserve?
What is the primary role of bison for Indigenous people in the area?
What is the primary role of bison for Indigenous people in the area?
How do most residents and tourists value the land in the American west?
How do most residents and tourists value the land in the American west?
Why might ranchers oppose the conservation plan of buying private land and connecting to public land?
Why might ranchers oppose the conservation plan of buying private land and connecting to public land?
What might be a potential trade-off for Native Americans if the conservation plan moves forward?
What might be a potential trade-off for Native Americans if the conservation plan moves forward?
What recommendation might align with the 30 by 30 Initiative regarding connecting private and public land?
What recommendation might align with the 30 by 30 Initiative regarding connecting private and public land?
