Question

What are the characteristics of desert flora?

1. Desert plants are typically tall trees with broad leaves to maximize photosynthesis.
2. Most desert plants are xerophytes, adapted to survive with minimal water.
3. Vegetation is abundant in all deserts, regardless of location.
4. Desert plants cannot withstand long periods of drought.

• A. ii only
• B. ii, iv
• C. None of these
• D. i, ii

Answer 1

Answer:

A. ii only

• Deserts display an unexpectedly large amount of biodiversity, with plants and animals show-ing interesting ways of adapting to lack of water and extreme temperatures.

• The amount and type of vegetation varies from desert to desert, with North American deserts supporting more vegetation than Asian deserts.

• Plants are usually low in height, although the Saguaro cactus in the Sonoran desert is almost tree-like in height

• Most plants in the deserts are xerophytes that cansurvive with very little water and can with-stand long periods of drought.