Plants have adaptations that help them survive, live, and grow in certain environments.

These
changes are unique features that help them get the most out of the environment. They also explain
why some plants are found in some areas and not in others. Plant adaptation is when a species
evolves specifically to improve its survival. Changes are long-lasting and hereditary, meaning they are
passed on to future generations. Plants have many reasons for adaptation. There are three main
reasons why plants adapt to survive in harsh environments: security, protection from predators, and
being more successful when they join their competitors. This includes competition for space, water,
or food. Plants do have different types of adaptation as there are plants that do xerophytes and
plants that do hydrophytes.

Xerophytes and hydrophytes are two types of plants adapted to survive and work in specific habitats
such as arid and aquatic environments, respectively. These changes enable them to overcome the
challenges arising from their unique environment. Xerophytes are plants adapted to arid or dry
environments with limited water availability. They have evolved various structural, physiological, and
behavioral adaptations to conserve water and thrive in these harsh conditions. the plants adapted to
live in dry habitats are termed xerophytes. They possess means to prevent water loss or to store the
available water. They are defined as plants that grow on substrates that usually possess gravitational
groundwater at a depth of 20-25 cm.

There are 2 types of xerophytes ephemerals and succulents. Ephemeral plants grow and reproduce
quickly and in large numbers to maximize their chance of survival and take advantage of optimal
conditions. This ensures that they take advantage of even short windows of suitable conditions for
growth and reproduction. Their short-lived life cycle is how they adapt to harsh and drastic
conditions. They grow, flower, and set seed within a few weeks to a few months, depending on the
species and environmental conditions. It completes its life cycle before the arrival of dry conditions.
Ephemeral plants do show a resting state in which they remain dormant until environmental cues
trigger germination. These instructions may include exposure to temperature, humidity, or light.
Ephemeral plants are often small and have limited resources. Their small size allows them to allocate
resources efficiently, focusing on rapid growth and production. They do have very efficient seed
dispersal methods as they are adapted to colonize an area quickly and increase their chance of food
source. The methods include wind dispersal, water dispersal, or attaching itself to an animal to be
transported. These plants reflect their ability to catch the right conditions in time to quickly complete
their life cycle. These strategies enable them to survive and reproduce in their environment.

Spring Ephemeral plant

Succulent plants have a unique set of adaptations to survive harsh conditions. These adaptations
enable them to store water efficiently and withstand extended periods of drought. Succulents have
special tissues such as flesh, leaves, or roots that act as water carriers. The surface of succulents is
often covered with a thick layer, which helps reduce water evaporation and form a protective barrier
that traps moisture and reduces contamination. The Tissues in succulent plants can store large
amounts of water for a long time which helps them when in dry weather conditions. It also gives
them a more swollen, or fleshy appearance. In fact, the term succulence is specifically given to these
plants for this ability. We can also typically determine a plant's ability to store water by the
succulence of its leaves. Succulents grow in habitats with less or no water but store water whenever
available so they develop shallow but wide roots that spread horizontally to quickly capture available
water. This strategy allows them to maximize water availability during low rainfall events. succulents
have different leaf structures to reduce leaf surface area or reduce water loss through replacement.
This change helps conserve water in hot, dry conditions. Succulent plants have developed
mechanisms to overcome drought and dry conditions by developing the ability to shed their leaves
or parts of their stems during prolonged dry periods. By shedding the can overcome water-
demanding tissues, they can conserve resources to focus on their survival. They also reduce water
transpiration by having fewer stomata in their leaves to maintain the moisture and structure of the
plant. Many succulents can use CAM photosynthesis (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) photosynthesis,
a specialized form of photosynthesis for the exchange of carbon dioxide and storing its organic acids
opens stomata at night, this is to prevent water loss during the day to cope with stress, allowing
them to quickly adapt to environmental changes and conserve more water. The leaves of some
succulents have developed special structures such as crystal cells that store and release water as
needed, helping the plant survive periods of insufficient water. Adaptability allows succulents to
adapt to arid environments, allowing them to thrive in conditions that are difficult for many other
plants.

Xerophytes plants such as succulents and ephemerals have both morphological and psychological
adaptations that include Reduced leaf surface area as many xerophytes have small, thick, or needle-
like leaves with a reduced surface area, which helps to minimize water loss through transpiration,
waxy leaf coatings, some xerophytes, like cacti, store water in their fleshy stems and leaves, allowing
them to survive during prolonged periods of drought, they do have the ability to drop leaves during
dry periods, xerophytes often have extensive root systems that can reach deep into the soil to access
groundwater sources and finally development of a dense, The leaves of the xerophytes plants will
show various features like grey or light green coloration and hairy leaf covering. The adjustments
offer assists the xerophytes to elude dry season or to persevere recurrent drought. During the dry
season, the drying out of plant cells and tissues takes put. A considerable increment in the
temperature causes overheating driving to dehydration.
 Echeveria ( Succulent plant)

Hydrophytes are plants that have adapted to live and thrive in aquatic environments, including
freshwater or marshy habitats. There are 4 types of hydrophytes such as free-floating, rooted floating
rooted submerged, and amphibious hydrophytes. Floating-leaved plants do have roots planted in the
sediment of the lake, pond, river, or other water body in which they grow. The leaves of this plant are
thick, waxy and have a texture that allows them to float and remain buoyant. The waxy surface helps
reduce water loss during transpiration, and the airy texture provides buoyancy and helps the plant
float in water. They provide habitat to marine life in water and help reduce shoreline erosion

Waterlily ( Floating Leaved Plant)

Floating root plants refer to aquatic plants that are not attached to the substrate but float freely in
the water. Unlike floating leaves, the roots of these plants are not in the soil or in submerged
sediment. Instead, its roots hang freely in the water column, absorbing nutrients and anchoring the
plant.
 Water Lettuce (Rooted Floating Plant)

Rooted submerged plants are rooted to the bottom but their leaves grow entirely underwater. Due to
this, they may grow to greater depths than emergent and floating plants, dependent on the water
clarity. Submerged plants often have special adaptations for pollination and seed dispersal in aquatic
environments. Some species release their seeds underwater, while others produce flowers that float
in water for easy pollination. These plants have impressive tissue adaptation as they use their
specialized tissue to conduct efficient gas exchange underwater without atmospheric oxygen.

Vallisneria (Rooted Submerged plant)

Amphibious Hydrophytes are adapted to both aquatic and terrestrial modes of life. This plant adapts
to both water and soil. Amphibian grows in shallow water or on muddy surfaces. Amphibians that
grow in salt marshes are called "halophytes” Roots and some parts of stems and leaves in these
plants may be submerged in water or buried in mud but some foliage, branches, and flowering
shoots spring well above the surface of water or they may spread over the land. Amphibious aquatic
plants are adapted to grow under water or partially or completely above the water surface. This
change enables them to survive in different waters and changing environments.

Cattail ( Amphibious Plant)

The Hydrophytes have Morphological, Phycological, and behavioral adaptation as well. The
morphological adaptation is such that these plants have few or no stomata because of the high
amount of water in the aquatic environment, most aquatic plants have few or no stomata in their
leaves to reduce water loss and prevent gas exchange problems. These hydrophytes also possess air
sacs or specialized tissues called aerenchyma that provide buoyancy and enable gas exchange
between submerged plant parts and the atmosphere. They do have long, flexible stems and leaves to
reach the water's surface and access sunlight for photosynthesis. Their Phycological adaptation is
that they have Special textures that allow efficient gas exchange between underwater plants and
surrounding water. Lastly, they have behavioral adaptations as they may have specialized adaptations
for pollination and seed dispersal in aquatic environments.

Reference: https://old.amu.ac.in/emp/studym/100000311.pdf

https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/59040/1/Unit4_Adaptations%20of
%20Hydrophytes%20and%20Xerophytes.pdf

https://www.twinkl.com/teaching-wiki/plants-and-adaptations#:~:text=Plant%20adaptation%20is
%20when%20a,are%20passed%20on%20to%20offspring.