Tallgrass prairie is a fire-dependent ecosystem distinguished by tall grasses (up to 10 feet tall), and deep, rich soils. Tallgrass prairies once covered parts of 14 states in the Midwest including more than 80% of Iowa. Today less than 0.1 percent remains due to landscape modification practices such as widespread grazing which eliminated plant diversity because it leaves only one type of vegetation standing after use; overgrazing also reduces soil fertility through reducing nutrient stocks and compaction that prevents water infiltration into the ground thus killing off plants below surface level ruining root systems making them vulnerable too drought conditions which are exacerbated by climate change impacts on precipitation levels leading to increased frequency or severity fires further destroying what's left.