January-February 2020 • Nebraskaland 43
of North America are long gone. Fortunately, cattle grazing
can still fi ll many of the roles of those historic bison,
though current livestock practices tend not to provide the
full spectrum of habitat needs for prairie plants and animals.
There are countless species of prairie wildlife, each of
which adds to the complexity and function of the
grassland.
Any visit to a prairie is enhanced by a fl ock of grouse
exploding from cover, the loud buzzing of katydids and
cicadas, or a coyote slipping quietly out of sight. Somehow,
however, there's nothing quite like coming over a rise and
spotting a group of massive furry beasts grazing and grunting
their way across the landscape. Bison make important
contributions to the ecology of large grasslands, but they
might contribute even more signifi cantly to the soul of the
prairie.
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