However, the needles have a dense population with a single plant having thousands of them, and this is for a reason. The cactus spine may look like it can’t offer much shade because it has a thin radius. Shade provision to avoid the hot desert sun The unique grooves that help the cactus plants collect water. The spines also have a hierarchical groove structure. The cactus roots then absorb this water to help nourish the plant and keep it alive. Once dew from the fog settles on the spine, it liquefies into the water and then drips on the ground below. The locals refer to the heavy dew as “camanchaca.”
However, this desert experiences heavy fog in the early morning hours. The Chilean Atacama Desert is one of the driest deserts on earth. The buffer contains moist air, and this plays a vital role in preventing water from evaporating from the plant in the hot desert heat. The air trapping is necessary for restricting airflow otherwise, the water might escape from the plant in the process. The spines create a buffer that traps air around the spine. The roles that spines play in a cactus’s survival The plant continues to manufacture food, and that’s the reason you’ll see the cactus standing tall even during the hot summer months. So, how does the cactus carry out photosynthesis during the summer?ĭuring the summer, most desert shrubs droop and stop photosynthesis. The spines play a significant role when it comes to avoiding water evaporation.
The added advantage of that is the desert has plenty of sunshine so it’s easy for the stems to have access to sunlight. Therefore, cactus doesn’t need leaves to photosynthesis the way other plants do. Well, the plant’s stems are what conduct photosynthesis for these plants compared to other plants where the leaves are what carry out the procedure. This brings about the question of how the plant can carry out photosynthesis without leaves. The branches of the cactus plant have small bumps known as areoles, and this is where the thorns sprout from the plant. Instead, cacti have modified leaves known as spines.
The plants don’t have real branches or leaves, like other plants.
#A tale in the desert ecology skill skin#
It is astonishing how the cactus can live for up to 200 years in the hot desert climate, right? Thanks to its adaptation capabilities, the plant is not only able to survive but thrive in the environment.Ĭharacteristics like spines, shallow roots, stomata on the stem and waxy skin make the plant a reservoir despite the harsh climate. The plant attracts tourists in the desert each year, with its unusual shapes and beautiful blossoms. The plant is a native of Africa, America, Australian, and Europe, and many different species exist in the desert environment. This plant can also serve as a great garden or house plant. Human beings have utilized some species of this plant for centuries for their medicinal value and as a source of food. There are over 2000 species of this plant scattered in deserts all over the globe. The plant is a staple of many cartoons due to its unique features. The cactus plant is one of the few easily recognizable plants on the planet. Read on to understand better how the plant adapts into the desert environment. The science behind how a cactus can thrive in the desert while other plants can’t is easy to understand. This plant’s leaves, roots, and stems have adapted to the desert to enable it to absorb, and conserve water. How does a cactus manage to survive in a hostile desert climate? The cactus plant survives in the desert by using the adaptation technique. I compiled this article based on scientific facts, and I’m happy to share the information with you. I carried out some in-depth research on this topic in my quest to understand this mystery.
#A tale in the desert ecology skill plus#
The ability of the cactus plant to survive in the desert with no water plus harsh weather conditions all – year round baffles many people.
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