modifications that allow plants to adapt to the limiting and damaging conditions in desert biome. Name each modification and discuss its adaptive features
1. Succulence- Many desert plants have evolved thick, fleshy stems and leaves to store water. This adaptive feature allows them to survive long periods of drought by providing a ready water supply even in the absence of rainfall.
2. Drought tolerance- Desert plants have developed adaptations that reduce their water loss through transpiration. These include small leaf size, deep roots, and waxy coatings on their leaves that reduce water loss through evaporation.
3. Reduced leaves or spines- Many desert plants have modified their leaves into spines or reduced them in size, minimizing surface area and thereby reducing water loss.
4. CAM photosynthesis- Some desert plants, like the cactus, use a type of photosynthesis called CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) which allows them to open their stomata at night when it is cooler and less humid, minimizing water loss.
5. Shallow roots- Many desert plants have shallow roots that spread out over a large area in search of scarce water resources like shallow pools.
6. Deciduousness - Some desert plants, like the creosote bush, have adapted to the extreme temperature swings of the desert by losing their leaves during the hottest times of the year, reducing water loss through transpiration.
Overall, these adaptations allow desert plants to survive under extremely harsh conditions by minimizing water loss, increasing water storage, and efficiently utilizing available resources.