Why do ferns require a moist environment?- Ferns can’t reproduce without moisture. Therefore, Ferns need a moist environment to continue their species. Moisture and shade are ideal for plants like ferns to survive.
The vascular tissue of ferns helps it to retain moisture and regulate general metabolism. Moisture, on the other hand, keeps it safe from harsh climatic conditions. What are the non-seed plants? With examples
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Why are ferns found in moist places?
The moist environment supports the growth of ferns. The reproduction in ferns is not like any other plant. They don’t reproduce with seeds. Instead, they form spores to fertilize and develop new fern plants.
This is the main reason for the requirement of moisture. In simple words, seeds have stored moisture to support germination whereas spores don’t. Spores are not even complete to form a new plant. Ferns have separate male and female spores. They need to come in contact to fertilize.
In technical terms, we can say that the sperm of a fern moves form antheridium to the egg located in archegonium. Antheridium and Archegonium are separate males and female reproductive parts of a fern.
The movement of spores requires a thin film of water. This is the main reason for ferns living in a moist environment.
Water helps the spore to travel from Antheridium to Archegonium. Thus support in the formation of gametophytes. In favorable climatic conditions, this gametophytes divides to form gametes and then new fern develops.
Many of you can argue that ferns are found in dry rocky areas. It is true but Don’t they need a moist environment?
Yes, they do need a moist environment. In fact, all types of ferns and other related species need some sort of moisture to reproduce and grow.
Now if this is true then,
How do ferns grow in dry Areas?
Ferns living in dry climatic conditions have developed special methods to hold moisture. They develop wax-like substance over the fronds to conserve water. This is how most of the ferns can reproduce even in dry weather.
This is strange to the fact that ferns need moisture. We should understand that even a single drop of water trapped in the waxy cover is enough to carry sperm from Antheridium to Archegonium.
The waxy covering also protects the mature fern plant from drying. Therefore we can conclude that ferns need moist environment in all forms and cases.
Do ferns need a lot of water?
Water is necessary for ferns. It is a general misconception that ferns need a lot of water. Actually, they don’t.
These unique plants need water just enough for their growth and fertilization. Anything more can be harmful.
The main reason for this wrong concept is the life cycle of a fern. The life of a fern starts with the formation of gametophytes which is possible in a moist environment.
It is almost certain that most of the ferns are found near moist damp soil. This is an ideal place for their reproduction and successive growth.
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Final words
What do you think about this- Why do ferns require a moist environment? Do you know some other facts to support this theory? Please share your thoughts and suggestion in the comment section. Also, ask more related questions for the next discussion.
Till then Keep reading Keep gardening!
