Grain crops replaced tallgrass prairie. Draining of wetlands eliminated habitat for fish species and wetland-dependent birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Northern redbelly dace, banded killifish, trout-perch and central mudminnow have lost habitat vital to their existence. The Dakota skipper has little suitable habitat remaining in the state. Tallgrass and mixed grass prairies depend on frequent fire to prevent succession to woodland.
Natural fires are rare and remnants of native prairie are threatened.
The American burying beetle is no longer known to occur in South Dakota. Habitats of the northern redbelly snake, lined snake, eastern hognose snake and Blanding's turtle are limited naturally or because of conversion of habitat for other uses. Poisoning of species perceived as a nuisance or threat to land production and the failure to appreciate the complexity of the prairie dog ecosystem have resulted in endangering or eliminating black-footed ferrets and swift fox. In the Black Hills, forestry practices, mining and recreational activities have eliminated or disturbed species and habitats, including those of the mountain lion, black bear, longnose sucker, fringe-tailed myotis, marten and bald eagle. Ironically, some habitat types have increased.