Energy is an integral part of society. The major US energy sources of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas); biofuels (ethanol); and wind are concentrated in grassland ecosystems of the Great Plains. As energy demand continues to increase, mounting pressures will be placed on North American grassland systems. In this review, we present the ecological effects of energy development and production on grassland systems. We then identify opportunities to mitigate these effects during the planning, construction, and production phases by using informed methodology and improved technology. Primary effects during energy development include small- and large-scale soil disturbance and vegetation removal as small patches of grasslands are used to host oil or gas wells, wind turbine pads, associated roadways, and pipelines or through the conversion of large grassland areas to biofuel croplands. Direct habitat loss or habitat fragmentation can affect wildlife directly through increased mortality or indirectly through reduction in habitat quantity and quality. During energy production, air and water quality can be affected through regular emissions or unplanned spills. Energy development can also affect the economy and health of local communities. During planning, energy development and production effects can be reduced by carefully considering effects on grasslands during siting and even by selecting different energy source types. During construction, effects on soil and plant systems can be minimized by eliminating weed populations before disturbance, salvaging and stockpiling topsoil for future revegetation, and harvesting native local seed for postsite restoration. During energy production operations, noise and road traffic reduction plans and atmospheric monitoring will enable more informed mitigation measures. Continued research on energy development effects and mitigation measures is necessary to establish best management practices beneficial to grassland health while providing needed energy for the United States.

能源是社会不可或缺的一部分。美国化石燃料的主要能源（煤炭，石油，天然气）；生物燃料（乙醇）；风力集中在大平原的草地生态系统中。随着能源需求的持续增长，北美草地系统将面临越来越大的压力。在本文中，我们介绍了能源开发和生产对草地系统的生态影响。然后，我们通过使用明智的方法和改进的技术，确定在计划，构建和生产阶段减轻这些影响的机会。能源开发过程中的主要影响包括小规模和大规模的土壤扰动以及植被的清除，因为小片的草地被用来容纳油井或气井，风力发电机的垫层，相关的道路，和管道，或通过将大片草地改种为生物燃料耕地。直接生境丧失或生境破碎化可通过增加死亡率直接影响野生动植物，或通过减少生境数量和质量间接影响野生动植物。在能源生产期间，空气和水的质量会受到定期排放或计划外泄漏的影响。能源发展也可能影响当地社区的经济和健康。在规划过程中，通过仔细考虑选址期间对草原的影响，甚至选择不同的能源类型，都可以降低能源开发和生产的影响。在施工期间，可以通过在干扰之前清除杂草种群，打捞和储存表土以备将来植被恢复，从而最大限度地减少对土壤和植物系统的影响，并收获本地本地种子以进行后期修复。在能源生产过程中，减少噪声和道路交通的计划以及大气监测将有助于采取更明智的缓解措施。为了建立有益于草地健康同时为美国提供所需能源的最佳管理实践，有必要继续研究能源开发的影响和缓解措施。