These cushion plants may look like small cushions that you would put your feet up on or relax on, but they help plants survive that are cannot handle the stress of these harsh, typically arctic, conditions. Studies done at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden examined the relationship between cushion plants effectiveness to the environment they were found in.
Turns out the harsher the environment, the more the cushion plants do to make a suitable environment for other plants. A cushion plant creates a viable environment for plants that are less tolerable to stress of inhabitable environments. This creates a diversity within arctic or mountainous environments that might not otherwise be able to survive.
These studies focused on arctic and mountain environments, focusing on the alpines. I wonder if there are not similar plants found in the other extreme, desert, dry environments, that help plats survive. If not, could these plants be adapted to help plants in these environments? What would that do the biodiversity that is already found in the desert?
Another possibility for these plants could be growing crops in environments that they are not normally found in. The cushion plant could supply a viable environment and increase crop growth.
What are your thoughts?
View the article here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130218092545.htm
What I know about the other extreme (hot environment) is that these plant control their stomata opening. stomata are structure that open and close to collect carbon dioxide from the environment. In most plant stomata open during the daylight hours. But for plants (like cactus) that live in deserts these stomata only open at night and called nocturnal plants. Controlling stomata opening controls water loss which is most likely to happen a night. There are many other traits that prevent water loss for these plants so they are able to live in these environments:like spines that protect them from thirsty predator.... I think Dr. Randle is an expert in these and could provide us with a clear developed answer!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I didn't know that about plants. I haven't had any botany courses so I was just throwing ideas out there. Plants are very resourceful and can survive the craziest of environments!
DeleteHmmm...Mustapha, you are quite correct. Such plants use a process called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism that relies on PEP carboxylase to fix carbon in the form of Malic Acid at night when stomata are open...CO2 can be released from malic acid during the day, and the C3 pathway can continue normally even when stomata are closed.
ReplyDeleteGetting back to the original post, I am not an expert on xeric cushion plants, but Arthur Gibson is and has written extensively about them.
Thanks for the link! I thought they were an interesting plant!
DeleteIn the desert southwest there are cryptobiotic crusts composed of fungi, algae, and lichen that cover the desert floor. These fragile crusts aid in providing moisture, stabilization to the soil/dirt, and nitrogen to the ecosystem. They can be easily destroyed by an unsuspecting person walking off established trail systems. (So, when hiking in the desert, don't walk on that brown crusty stuff and stay on the marked trail).
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that about the desert floor! It's amazing how everything works together.
DeleteI like your idea of crop growth. That would definitely be beneficial for the agriculture industry. My question though is (maybe I over looked it), but is this a one way relationship? What do the cushion plants get out of making the environment more suitable for other plants?
ReplyDelete