Question

Why are the plants that inhabit a desert are not found in a mangrove? Give reasons.

Answer 1

Hint:Desert plants are highly adapted to live in areas where water is not readily available. They have a waxy covering called cuticle on the epidermis that prevents the loss of water through transpiration.

Complete answer:
Different plants have different adaptations to suit the environment in which they are grown. Desert plants are distinguished by the presence of thick, waxy skin to minimise water loss and to reflect heat. Most desert plants have very tiny stomata and lesser stomata than other species. The stomata of several cacti lie deep in the tissues of the plants. Its big, fleshy stems are adapted to store water. They may also have leaves reduced to spines. Desert plants often have deep roots to tap groundwater or long shallow roots that extend over a large area.

Mangrove is an area where terrestrial plants have evolved to survive in salt water and mud rich in organic matter but low in oxygen. They develop luxuriously in areas where freshwater is mixed with seawater and where soil is made up of condensed mud deposits. Some plant species growing in mangroves have respiratory roots where roots emerge above the ground to take air from the atmosphere.

Thus, the adaptations of desert plants with modified stems and leaves would make them unable to survive in mangrove areas.

Note: Plants adapt or adjust to their surroundings. This helps them to live and grow. A particular place or a specific habitat calls for specific conditions and adapting to such conditions helps the plants to survive. This is the reason why certain plants are found in certain areas.