What caused most of the natural plant life in the America Midwest to vanish?

Most of the natural plant life in the American Midwest vanished primarily due to agricultural expansion and industrialization. The conversion of vast prairies into farmland, driven by the demand for crops like wheat and corn, led to widespread habitat destruction. Additionally, practices such as overgrazing, the use of herbicides, and urban development further degraded these ecosystems. Climate change and invasive species also contributed to the loss of native plant communities.