Forests cover 24 percent of Oklahoma and prairie grasslands composed of shortgrass, mixed-grass, and tallgrass prairie, harbor expansive ecosystems in the state's central and western portions, although cropland has largely replaced native grasses. Where rainfall is sparse in the western regions of the state, shortgrass prairie and shrublands are the most prominent ecosystems, though pinyon pines, red cedar (junipers), and ponderosa pines grow near rivers and creek beds in the far western reaches of the panhandle. Southwestern Oklahoma contains many rare, disjunct species including sugar maple, bigtooth maple, nolina and southern live oak. COUNT 5
QSN1 How much of Oklahoma is covered in forests? ANS1 24 percent QSN2 What types of prairie grasslands does Oklahoma have? ANS2 shortgrass, mixed-grass, and tallgrass prairie QSN3 What part of Oklahoma has low rainfall? ANS3 western QSN4 What types of trees grow near rivers in western Oklahoma? ANS4 pinyon pines, red cedar (junipers), and ponderosa pines QSN5 What rare types of maples grow in southwest Oklahoma? ANS5 sugar maple, bigtooth maple