El Tokio is a highly fragmented grassland area due to intense livestock management and agricultural practices. Because of its unique native vegetation, soil composition, and the presence of all the last remaining Cynomys mexicanus prairie dog colonies and many grassland birds, the area was designated as a grassland priority conservation area for North America. Through extensive seasonal measurements of vegetation (plant functional traits) and ecosystem functions, this study will assess the remaining native grasslands conditions, its seasonal variations and the role prairie dogs play for ecosystem functioning, with the main aim of providing new strategies for its conservation and restoration.