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Similar Structures Between Rainforest & Desert Plants

All plants have certain requirements to stay alive. Without these things, plants will die. Plants in environments in which these items are in abundant supply, such as a rainforest, have no problem growing and thriving. Plants in other habitats where the required elements are in short supply have adapted a variety of coping mechanisms to help them survive. Despite having some differences, there are a number of ways in which rainforest and desert plants are similar.
  1. Water

    • While the amount of water a plant needs varies from species to species, they all need water to live. Deserts are defined by their hot, dry climates, which makes it difficult for desert plants to get the water they need for survival. Many desert plants, such as cacti, have specially adapted bodies that can stretch to store water when rain is plentiful. They then live off this water supply until the next rainfall comes. Desert plants also have smaller leaves to avoid loss of water to the air. Rainforest plants have quite the opposite problem as rainfall is plentiful in their habitat. The leaves of many rainforest plants have what is known as a drip tip -- a tapered point on the end. This drip tip helps water run off the leaves to fall down to the roots where it can be absorbed.

    Sunlight

    • In desert climes, sunlight is certainly not a problem. Plants are exposed to plenty of strong sunlight year-round. The main sunlight-related issue for desert plants is receiving too much sunlight and being burned. Desert plants often have spines or hair to keep the plants cool and reflect some sunlight. On the opposite end of the spectrum, rainforest plants are in constant competition for sunlight due to the thick canopy the trees provide. To combat this problem, some rainforest plants have wide, flat leaves to capture as much sun as they can, while other species grow directly on the trees so their leaves reach into the canopy.

    Nutrients

    • Certain vitamins and minerals are required by plants in order to make their own food. The specific nutrients and the quantity vary, but both rainforest and desert plants require them. Rainforest plants are able to acquire the nutrients they need from the layer of rapidly decomposing litter on the forest floor as well as from the trees around them. Deserts are naturally abundant in minerals, which concentrate in the sands. Desert plants do not need any special adaptations to acquire minerals.

    Biodiversity

    • It is commonly known that tropical rainforests have the most diversity in the species that inhabit it. In fact, scientists are continually looking to the rainforests for possible treatments for a number of illnesses. Contrary to popular belief, deserts are also rich in biodiversity. The desert is second only to the tropical rainforest in its biodiversity. Perhaps scientists should be looking to deserts for cures as well.


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