Most plants that grow in a desert environment have the ability to retain water in leaves or paddles ( if cactus ) and have deep roots to collect water that is deep in the ground i hope this helps <span />
The cactus is the best example of a plant that has adapted very well to the desert.
The first adaptation has to do with water storage. Thanks to the long roots it has, it can absorve water from very deep areas. The water stored is stored in adapted vacuoles. The cells of the cactus are adapted to transpirate as little as possible, no to loose water in evatranspiration process.
The second adaptation has to do with it´s thorns. Big, rigid and pointy thorns are the perfect defense tolive in the dessert. Animals will tend to eat plants which will not harm them at all. This is why, thorns are a great protection against hungry eaters.
The answer is Keystone. Keystone is a species in which others species in the ecosystem largely depend on, if the species was removed the ecosystem would change drastically.
