In high mountains, there is a lot of moisture and water yet the plants are xerophytes because :

Options

A. Water turns into snow on mountains
B. Water runs away due to the presence of slopes and cannot be used by plants
C. Rocks of mountains cannot absorb water
D. Both (a) and (c)

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Environment**: In high mountain regions, there is a significant amount of moisture and water present. However, despite this, the types of plants that thrive in these areas are xerophytes, which are typically associated with dry environments.

2. **Defining Xerophytes**: Xerophytes are plants adapted to survive in conditions where water is scarce. They have specific adaptations that allow them to minimize water loss and efficiently use the limited water available.

3. **Analyzing Water Availability**: Although there is moisture in the form of precipitation, the water in mountainous regions often turns into snow. This snow does not directly contribute to the water available for plant uptake during the growing season.

4. **Impact of Slope**: The mountainous terrain is characterized by slopes. When it rains or when snow melts, the water tends to run off the slopes rather than being absorbed by the soil. This runoff means that the water does not remain available for plant roots to absorb.

5. **Plant Adaptations**: Due to the inability to access sufficient water, plants in these regions have adapted to have features that reduce water loss. For example, many have needle-like leaves, which minimize transpiration and help retain moisture.

6. **Conclusion**: The primary reason why xerophytes are found in high mountain regions, despite the presence of moisture, is that the water runs off due to the slope, making it unavailable for the plants to use.

**Final Answer**: In high mountains, the presence of slopes causes water to run off quickly, preventing plants from absorbing sufficient moisture, which is why xerophytes are the dominant plant type in these regions.

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