What problems do desert plants and rainforest plants have in regards to water, and how have they adapted to deal with these problems?

Answer 1

Desert plants have limited access to water as the climate is very dry and arid which can lead to dehydration. They adapt to this by conserving water through a variety of mechanisms such as having deep roots to access water below the surface, storing water in their leaves or stems, and having small leaves to minimize water loss through transpiration. Some desert plants also have a waxy or hairy coating on their leaves to prevent water loss.

On the other hand, rainforest plants have plenty of water, but competition for sunlight can be intense, making it difficult for some plants to grow. In addition, water can quickly become stagnant and lead to fungal or bacterial diseases. Rainforest plants adapt by growing tall and thin to reach the sunlight, developing large leaves to capture sunlight and increase photosynthesis, and having drip tips on their leaves to allow water to run off quickly and prevent the growth of fungi. Some rainforest plants also have developed symbiotic relationships with other organisms such as ants or air plants to improve their chances of survival.