Adaptations for Water Loss

Plants which live in environments where water is in short supply (for example in dry areas or where the water is frozen) need to conserve water. There are a number of ways by which plants can achieve this.

• Plants with a thick waxy layer will cut down on water loss through the leaves. Many evergreens have this adaptation. Holly leaves have a thick waxy layer.
• Plants can have needle-like leaves. This cuts down the surface area of the leaf and thereby cuts down the numbers of stomata on each leaf. Fur trees and cacti are good examples.
• Some leaves have hair-like fibres. These trap air close to the leaf. It creates a microclimate around the leaf. As water is lost from the leaf the microclimate becomes very humid. The hairs prevent this humid air from being blown away. As humidity slows down the rate of transpiration the leaf conserves water.
• Leaves can be folded. Marram grass, which grows on sand dunes, is a good example. The leaf blade is curled in on itself so that the stomata are on the inside. This creates a humid micro-climate which slows down water loss.

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2005 Psionica