desert plant adaptations

powerpoint presentation 10/24/07 * environment growing deserts 10/24/07 * desert plant adaptations environmental stresses for desert plants: 1. long periods of drought; unpredictable precipitation 2. high soil and leaf temperatures 3. saline soils plants use anatomical, physiological and life history mechanisms for coping with harsh desert environments 10/24/07 * 1. drought tolerators 1a. evergreen shrubs  “true xerophytes”  high root-to-shoot ratio: take up a lot of water, transpire less. cost: low maximum growth rates  creosote bush is prime example extensive rooting system helps collect moisture from large soil volume withstands very low water potentials high rates of photosynthesis at high temperatures sheds some leaves in extreme drought flowers opportunistically 10/24/07 * jojoba ...

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