Prepare a report on adaptation to water in plants of different ecological groups.

The following groups of plants are distinguished in relation to humidity: hygrophytes – moisture-loving, mesophytes – preferring moderate moisture and xerophytes – inhabitants of arid regions. Of the moisture-loving plants, the water lily and duckweed are the first to be remembered. Their shape allows them to hold leaves on the surface for photosynthesis and respiration. Their stomata are open, and water is constantly circulating between the leaf and the surrounding water. Therefore, without water, they quickly wither. Duckweed floats freely in water, without rooting, receives nutrients from the water itself. The root system of hygrophytes is usually rather poorly developed, the leaf plates are thin. There are special subgroups of moisture-loving plants – rainforest inhabitants. They protect themselves from moisture loss during the dry season thanks to their leathery, dense leaves or a special shape that stores water, like in a bowl. Mesophytes are a large group of plants. These are the majority of meadow and forest plants of the temperate zone. They need moisture, but too much of it is harmful. Therefore, their root system is usually much better developed than that of aquatic plants, stems and leaves are more rigid and more differentiated. In general, mesophytes are able to adapt to more or less humid conditions due to the structure of the leaves, the presence of some bark, bulbs, etc. The xerophytes adapt to the conditions most interestingly. These can be extensive or deeply spreading root systems that exceed the size of the aerial part of the plant, thin stems and leaves with a few stomata that protect against evaporation, dense thick stems and leaves that accumulate a large amount of moisture inside (succulents). They are helped by a wax coating that reduces moisture evaporation, as well as protective hairs.