Description
The area west of the Mississippi River is a large geographic space characterized by its treeless landscape. According to estimates from the US Census Bureau, this region covers over 230 million square kilometers. When viewed from above, the area appears as vast plains dotted with small lakes and marshland pockets. Despite being situated a mere longitude aside from the heavily forested east of the river, the widespread desolation of this region is often characterized by massive prairie grass and shrublands. The region provides a stark contrast to its neighboring forests, most notably the Great Plains and its surrounding habitats.
The lands west of the Mississippi are close to being unaltered and mostly undisturbed in terms of human activity. Ecologists and researchers often consider this a conservation ‘hotspot’ given the potential to monitor and protect biodiversity and rare species. This area also provides a habitat for large predators such as wolves as well as other wildlife, including the endangered ferruginous hawk, swift fox and black-footed ferret.
Furthermore, it is proposed that by protecting large areas of the native habitat, water quality, air quality, and soils could be improved. This area, given its specific nature, could become a vital refuge for endangered species and support conservation efforts on a continental scale. Historically, the U.S. states of Nebraska and Wyoming have had especially large stretches of treeless areas as well as Kansas and Oklahoma.
Impacts of Human Activity
Human activity has been heavily influential in the shape and dimension of the lands west of the Mississippi, especially in the last century or so. Such activities include changes in land use and agricultural practices, particularly conversion of land to crops or pasture and the establishment of settlements in the area.
A current trend of increasing development, especially around major cities in esatern states, such as Colorado, has had a negative effect on large stretches of prairies. Furthermore, many species living in the area are also affected by climate change, land-use changes, and increasing anthropogenic pressures. The U.S. Federal Government has recognized the importance of preserving ecosystems and protecting endangered species in this region and has put in place protections and safeguards.
Despite these efforts, however, human activity continues to alter the landscape, causing a fraction of the original area to be impacted. With increasing impact from humans, the pristine nature and biological diversity of this area is put at risk, making it essential to take measures to control development and exploitation of the region’s wealth.
Conservation
The unique and vast open spaces of the area to the west of the Mississippi River provide a major opportunity for species conservation and habitat restoration. Various initiatives have been put in place to protect certain threats to this region, most notably wildlife corridors, which promote the peaceful co-existence of animals and humans. Additionally, governments have put regulations in place to reduce the impacts of human activity.
Besides regulations, active efforts such as re-introduction of species to their natural habitats have also been beneficial. An example of this is the Nebraska Wetland Restoration Program, which was created to facilitate the return of wetland habitats that had previously been converted to agricultural lands. Similarly, the American Prairie Reserve has been engaged in restoring grassland habitats to the region with the help of government grants.
Furthermore, organizations such as the Endangered Species Act and the Prairie Grouse Initiative operate to protect wildlife in the region and to ensure that the unique species living in this region are able to remain for years to come. It is essential for such conservation efforts to continue in order to keep the unique character of this area intact and ensure that it remains a haven for species and a valuable resource for humans.
Environmental Issues
The Everglades in Florida is a prominent example of the environmental consequences caused by human activity. When natural habitats are drained and replaced with agricultural lands, it affects the delicate food networks and water systems. With the loss of topsoil, waterways become blocked and natural vegetation is unable to survive. This can result in ecosystem destruction and extinctions of various species.
A similar situation can happen west of the Mississippi River if human activities are left unchecked in the region. It is of paramount importance that scientific research on the region is conducted so that conservation initiatives are tailored more accurately to the area. This can help identify vulnerable species and also help increase knowledge on the inter-dependence of different species.
In some cases, wildlife populations have already been significantly impacted by human activity. For example, the number of wetlands in the region has declined by 85% since European settlement. This has been caused by irrigation, overgrazing and loss of soil fertility, presenting yet another challenge to conservation efforts.
Illegal Activity
Due to the open nature of much of the area west of the Mississippi, illegal activities such as poaching have been reported in the region. Unregulated hunting of grazing herbivores and other small animals is often done to feed small communities near the river. That said, illegal activities of a large scale are also rampant, such as unlawful hunting for furs, hides, meat and feathers.
Ivory poaching is also a major problem in the area, with poachers going so far as to hunt endangered species to obtain their tusks. Although there are some legal activities allowed, such as trophy hunting for large mammals, there are still some areas where hunting is banned, such as in game reserves and national parks.
Despite the legal implications of illegal hunting and use of resources, it remains a challenge due to the lack of enforcement in the region. This problem stresses the importance of conservation efforts as illegal activities leave long lasting and irreversible damage to the region’s environment and its inhabitants.
Social Impact
The lack of access to resources in some of the smaller villages near the Mississippi River result in an increased reliance on the resources of the land, causing further damage to the environment by encouraging over exploitation and unsustainable practices. Social programs are in place to help provide resources and awareness to these communities, but such programs are limited in scope, given the region’s remoteness.
The area to the west of the Mississippi River is now also home to a small but growing population who have settled in the area seeking a rural lifestyle. These individuals often create agricultural careers without having a significant input on the environment. The US Federal Government has also enacted various tax credits to encourage sustained land use, creating an incentive for eco-friendly practices.
The lack of resources, combined with the small population of the area, can put a strain on the environment and can put pressure on existing resources. It is essential that measures are taken to help protect this fragile ecosystem, to ensure that the biodiversity and resources of this treeless region are preserved for generations to come.
How It Is Changing
Various conservation initiatives have been initiated to help preserve natural habitats and reduce the impacts of human activity. Government and non-profit organizations have recognized the potential of the region, deciding to invest heavily in research and conservation efforts.
These efforts have helped to create new ways of protecting the area, such as converting agricultural land into grasslands, creating wildlife corridors and re-introducing species to their natural habitats. Many public-private initiatives have been created to help monitor and protect endangered species and to preserve the natural beauty of the area.
At the same time, sustainable land use and land management practices are being adopted, helping provide a sustainable income for rural communities and encouraging more efficient energy consumption. Additionally, governments have put regulations in place to provide incentives for developers and discourage further development in the area.
The widespread treeless area to the west of the Mississippi River remains a distinct area in the United States and a valuable resource for conservation. It is essential that such initiatives continue in order to protect this unique and diverse region and to protect its inhabitants and resources.
