Desert Plants: Built to Save Water
Deserts are extremely hot and dry, with very little rainfall. Because water is scarce, desert plants have structures that help them store water and reduce water loss.
Some important structural adaptations include:
• Thick stems that store water (such as in cacti)
• Small or spiky leaves that reduce water loss and protect the plant
• Waxy coatings on leaves and stems to stop water from evaporating
• Wide root systems that quickly absorb rain when it falls
Desert plants also show behavioural adaptations. For example, many plants only open their pores (called stomata) at night when the air is cooler. This reduces the amount of water lost during the hot daytime temperatures.
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Rainforest Plants: Competing for Light
Rainforests are very wet and warm environments. Water is plentiful, but sunlight is limited because tall trees form a thick canopy. As a result, rainforest plants have adaptations that help them reach or capture sunlight.
Some key structural adaptations include:
• Large, wide leaves that capture as much sunlight as possible
• Drip tips on leaves that allow rainwater to run off quickly
• Buttress roots that support very tall trees in shallow soil
• Climbing vines that grow up tree trunks to reach sunlight
Rainforest plants also show behavioural adaptations. Some plants grow toward the light, while others begin life on tree branches as epiphytes, using other plants for support so they can reach sunlight more easily.
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Comparing the Two Environments
Although desert and rainforest plants live in very different environments, both have evolved specialised adaptations to survive. Desert plants focus on saving water, while rainforest plants focus on reaching sunlight. These adaptations show how living things change their structures and behaviours to suit the conditions of their environment | Chalk