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All living things NEED water. What happens to plants when water is scarce? What can we learn from plants’ tricks? Let’s check it out! 2

Plants are FULL of water…so drying out too much isn’t a good thing. Water goes IN through the roots, and OUT through the leaves. If the soil dries out, so does the plant, right? 3 WET DRY

But not all plants have roots. And some don’t care if they dry out! “Air plants” – Spanish moss, ball moss, bromeliads… Did you know? Actually related to pineapple! Can absorb rainwater & dew through all parts of the plant! Can go dormant during dry times. Don’t hurt the tree they grow on! Recognize this?  4

More plant tricks: To reduce water loss, some plants can fold or drop their leaves when the weather gets dry… 5

While some have tricks to STORE water for dry times! Photo credits: Cacti - F.Galdo; Split succultent - John Balcom- Imagine if you could drink up ALL the water you need for a year… in one GULP !!! 6 Well, a cactus can!!! Hey, get your own water! – The desert is a dry place… Because cacti capture and store large amounts of water, most also have spines and/or bitter tastes to deter thirsty desert animals from having a bite/drink. Ribs allow a cactus to expand and contract…

People have tricks to STORE water for dry times too! Like a cactus, humans store water for dry times too! 7 C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir We don’t drink it all at once though. People capture and store water in the wet season using reservoirs, cisterns, and rain barrels. ing/harvesting_rainwater.shtml Rain Barrel

Feel it for yourself! Next time you see a sea grape tree, check out the leaves. (Or check out a cucumber from the grocery store…) Feel it for yourself! Next time you see a sea grape tree, check out the leaves. (Or check out a cucumber from the grocery store…) Don’t let that water get away!! Cacti, succulents, even sea grape leaves have a thick, waxy coating that seals in moisture… 8 Photo credits: F.Galdo

Did you know? Some plants NEVER need fresh water!!! Most trees would die if watered with seawater. However, red mangrove trees are the original ‘desalinization plant’. Their roots block out salt, allowing the trees to extract fresh water from the sea! 9 “Desalination plants”, meet the Tampa Bay Desalination Plant! Taking a note from red mangroves’ playbook, humans have developed similar systems to desalinate water! In fact, the largest desalination plant in the USA is located right alongside the red mangroves here in Tampa Bay!

So you see, We ALL need water : 10

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12 For more information, learning activities, and contest information, please visit: …We all need to do our part. Here ’ s one way you can help ! SHARE what you ’ ve learned ! Draw a poster showing your favorite water fact or tip … or continue on to the next section to learn more !