The second type of ecosystem that has experienced severe degradation in this area is grasslands. Grasslands once stretched across North America with over 50 million hectares existing prior to European arrival but were drastically reduced due to land conversion beginning with settlement by Europeans 200 years ago. Today less than 0.5% remains in a natural state because they have been converted into agricultural land or urban areas while other remaining sites have become fragmented and isolated creating many issues such as decreased biodiversity, increased insect populations and reduced soil fertility. The few grassland remnants left in this region are often heavily invaded by non-native invasive species making it difficult for native plants to thrive which further degrades these ecosystems adding additional stresses on already declining species trying to survive there.

Finally forests also experience significant degradation throughout my region due to forestry practices like clearcutting that leave large swaths of land denuded of trees allowing wind erosion and damaging nutrient runoff into waterways leading to algae blooms. Additionally roads built through these forests fragment them isolating patches thereby reducing connectivity between habitats resulting in fewer gene flow opportunities putting animals at risk if their population decreases below a certain threshold making them more susceptible to extinction events as well as introducing new diseases in smaller isolated populations unable defend themselves against pathogens they never encountered before because larger interconnected populations would likely possess genetic diversity offering resistance against novel invaders like disease carrying organisms whereas smaller pockets offer weaker protection since they did not accumulate the same amount time necessary adapt new threats while maintaining adequate levels genetic flexibility amongst individuals necessary insure survival during times environmental change when selection pressures increase significantly requiring rapid adaptation otherwise long established organisms can succumb sudden challenges like newly arrived parasites never previously part their evolutionary narrative until now unfortunately invading taking advantage vulnerable weakened targets unable fight back any longer opening door potential extinctions within what should still remain vibrant forested landscapes instead sadly becoming stagnant lifeless wastelands robbed vitality formerly enjoyed just short time ago yet no longer available view those lucky enough observe wildness its unaltered splendor too brief moment sadly soon forgotten replaced desolation yield faded memories days gone bye nothing will ever bring back what was lost forever beyond our reach until ended though pray it does not come end so abruptly quickly find ourselves regretting decisions made carelessly right now without considering impact tomorrow might bring worry sorrow heartache despair all consequences actions taken lightly without thought moral compass guided us away danger towards destruction looks bleak current indications do not provide ray hope amidst dire prognosis perhaps groundswell support conservation awareness rising tides future generations yet distant goal requires much dedication present day maintain sufficient momentum carry message gathering strength swell continuing spread far wide eventually reaching critical mass needed shift currents destiny back course desired ultimately restoring balance nature again ensuring equilibrium reached maintained stability achieved seemingly dissimilar words end result same desire common denominator understanding shared aspiration sustainable society capable sustaining itself indefinitely wisely supporting other life forms presence respect dignity resplendent magnificence hopefully one day soon all achieve highest aspirations desires peacefully joyously harmoniously together forever amen