sagebrush steppe is a threatened ecosystem in many regions. it was once very widespread in the regions that form the intermountain west, such as the great basin and colorado plateau. it has become fragmented and degraded by a number of forces. steppe has been overgrown with introduced species and has changed to an ecosystem resembling pine and juniper woodland. this has changed the fire regime of the landscape, increasing fuel loads and increasing the chance of unnaturally severe wildfires. cheatgrass ("bromus tectorum") is also an important introduced plant species that increases fire risk in this ecosystem. other forces leading to these habitat changes include fire suppression and overgrazing of livestock. besides severe fire, consequences of the breakdown of sagebrush steppe include increased erosion of the land and sedimentation in local waterways, decreased water quality, decreased quality of forage available for livestock, and degradation of habitat for wildlife and game crabs.