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A tallgrass prairie is a North American grassland ecosystem dominated by native grasses that historically reached heights of 6 to 10 feet, such as big bluestem and switchgrass, in areas with 20–40 inches of annual rainfall. These prairies once spanned roughly 170 million acres across the Midwest and Great Plains, supporting rich biodiversity including bison, prairie chickens, and hundreds of plant species. Today less than 4 percent remains intact, making them a focal point for conservation and ecological restoration.
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