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History of a tall grass prairie

Before the arrival of European settlers, the tall grass prairie covered one million square kilometers in central North America extending from Texas to south central Manitoba.

The tall grass prairie was the most productive prairie in North America with grasses reaching over two metres in height.  However the deep fertile soils of the prairie were soon transformed by settlers to grow cereal and forage crops.

Today less than one per cent of the original tall grass prairie in Manitoba remains. Most of Manitoba's endangered plants and wildlife are found in native prairie habitats.

Aspen bluffs replace what was once the common tall grass prairie.

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