Survival strategies of plants in deserts

Survival strategies of plants in deserts

The desert - an exotic and extremely rough ecosystem that covers a third of our earth. The conditions prevailing there - extreme heat a day and ice -cold cold at night, sparse rain, heavy winds and dry, nutrient -poor soil - plants put plants in front of an enormous outlet when survival and growth. And yet different plant species have astonishingly learned to adapt and thrive in these extreme conditions. This article researches the diverse survival strategies of plants in the desert.

water adjustments

water reserves

One of the most fundamental adjustments that plants have made in the desert is the ability to store water. Many desert plants, such as cacti, can swell their fabrics with water when it is available and use these reserves during dry periods. The plants also have thick layers of wax on their leaves or skin to minimize water loss.

water development

Another important adaptation concerns the root system. Many desert plants have long taps that reach deep into the ground to reach groundwater. Others have a far -reaching network of surface roots to absorb any precipitation immediately.

adjustments to heat and cold

temperature equalization

Delimars cool down quickly at night, and during the day the temperature can rise. Therefore, desert plants have developed adjustments to compensate for temperature fluctuations. For example, some plants align their leaves perpendicular to the sun to minimize heat exposure.

Protection against UV radiation

Design plants have also developed strategies for adapting to strong sunlight. They wear a thick layer of special chemicals that act as sunscreen and protect against harmful UV radiation.

adaptations to lack of nutrients and salt stress

nutrient Absorption and storage

Design floors are often poor in nutrients. Therefore, many desert plants have developed specialized root systems that are able to get nutrients from deeper layers of the soil. You then save these nutrients in your tissues to use them if necessary.

salt tolerance

Since many desert floors are very salty, some plants have developed a tolerance to salt content. You can excrete them from your tissue or use special cells to save them and prevent them from causing cell damage.

structural adjustments

leaf adjustments

In order to minimize the water loss due to evaporation, many desert plants have small, close leaves or no leaves. Instead of leaves, some plants have green stems that operate photosynthesis.

protection dorns and spines

Many desert plants have equipped themselves with physical defense mechanisms such as thorns, spines and hard, leathery leaves to prevent eating through animals.