Predicted Likelihood of Grassland to Cropland Conversion in the U.S. Northern Plains and Prairies Given Climate Change

The purpose of this project was to estimate and map the probability that grassland converts to cropland in the northern plains and prairie region given potential climate change. This region provides critical breeding and migratory habitat for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species, and is also a highly productive agricultural region. Generally, the regional effects projected by climate models are increasing temperatures and more variable precipitation, which could provide incentives for private landowners to convert native and managed grassland to intensive cropland. Conversion of grassland to cropland can result in habitat loss for dependent species and the degradation of a range of ecosystem services. If...

Categories: Data; Tags: Birds, Botany, Climatology, Data Release, Data Release, All tags... Ecology, Folder, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, National CASC, North Central CASC, North Dakota, Northern plains, Prairie potholes, South Dakota, USGS Science Data Catalog (SDC), Water, Coasts and Ice, Wetlands, Wildlife and Plants, Wyoming, agriculture, business and economics, economy, farming, grassland ecosystems, land use change, Fewer tags