Mutations and natural selection cause adaptations. Mutations can cause instant adaptations, while natural selection is the process by which adaptations occurs over a series of generations.
Xerophytes are plants that have adapted to arid climates. They have evolutionary developed adaptations to reduce the rate of transpiration so as to conserve water.
Among the adaptations include; thick cuticle, small, thick leaves, reducing the surface area relative to the volume of the leaf, etc.
Additionally, they use CAM pathway as an alternative photosynthetic pathway to minimize water loss.
