How Plants Conserve Water

Tags:: Conservation Of Photosynthesis Plants Stomata Water

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MishL129Lee

International
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Added: 08-Oct-08

Here we see evolutionary adaptations which plants use to conserve water. Cacti in the desert have survived because their leaves have evolved into non-photosynthetic spines. Therefore, these spines have no stomata to preform evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration is the release of water vapor during photosynthesis. When stomata on a leaf are open, water is released. Pine leaves have become needle like, decreasing exposure of stomata. They also are surrounded by a waxy cuticle and the stomata themselves are sunken. This prevents water loss during the Pine's dry season of winter. Some plants such as maples lose their photosynthetic leaves all together during the cold months as to cease photosynthesis and conserve water. Tiny, hair like trichomes are present in some plants amongst stomata as to prevent excess water escape and keep relative humidity around stomata high. All of these adaptations have come about because of evolutionary pressures placed on plants. Aquisition and conservation of water is essential to plant life.