Sample Solution

Halophytes:
Halophytes are plants adapted to high salinity habitats, such as salt marshes, mangroves or coastal areas (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2012). These plants are able to survive in soils where the water and nutrients have a high concentration of salts, which makes it difficult for other species to thrive. To survive and grow in this habitat, halophytes have developed various adaptions.

One adaptation is their ability to accumulate large amounts of salt in their tissues without having any negative effect on their health (Encyclopedia Britannica., 2012). This enables them to tolerate the salty environment better than other species. Halophytes also possess specialized roots that are able to absorb salty water through an osmotic process known as kleistogamy (Larcher & Guiliani , 2018). Additionally, many halophyte species present a thick cuticle layer on the surface of their leaves that helps reduce water loss from transpiration (Larcher & Guiliani , 2018).

Examples and Adaptations: Salicornia europaea (Purslane glasswort): The Purslane glasswort grows in saline soils with a low nutrient content. It has succulent stems and leaves adapted for conserving water; its root system can quickly absorb moisture during high tides or when rainfall occurs (Garrard et al., 2019). Its flowers are also adapted to release pollen during low tide when winds blow towards land due its ability to resist desiccation at higher temperatures (Garrard et al., 2019). Spartina anglica( English cordgrass): English cordgrass is another common halophytic species found in tidal marshes along coasts all over Europe that can tolerate up to 15% salinity levels in the soil. This plant’s rhizomes act like a barrier protecting itself against strong waves by trapping sediments brought by tides (Heathwaite et al., 2004). It has deep-rooted systems that allow it access fresh groundwater even at extreme changes in salinity levels near the shoreline (Heathwaite et al., 2004) .

Xerophytes:
Xerophytes are plants adapted for life under dry conditions with limited availability of soil moisture either seasonally or throughout lifetime of individual plant (Jagadish et al., 2014 ). To survive these hostile environments, xeromorphic adaptations have evolved such as thick waxy coatings on leaf surfaces and reduced surface area relative leaf volume optimized shape etc. (Jagadish et al., 2014 ). These features result into less transpiration rate thereby reducing dehydration rates while still being able maintain photosynthetic activities at optimal level.(Dawson & Ehleringer 1990).