Question about plant leaves ...?

Question

Why do tropical plants have large leaves and desert plants have small leaves?

Answer 1

To put it in one sentence " To conserve water " ==

In tropical rain forests tall trees form a canopy under which smaller plants grow . These plants , to make maximum use of the light available develop broader leaves .

In deserts the light intensity is maximum so a leaf with narrow lamina can do adequate photosynthesis . BUT the problem is of water conservation is there.

In tropical rain forests that is not the problem . But remember in tropical deserts IT IS  a problem again !!.

So in desert plants ( whether tropical or otherwise ) there is a tendency on the part of a plant to reduce or altogether eliminate the lamina part and do photosynthesis with the help from stem.

All cacti and succulents show this feature!

Answer 2

one is to increase the rate of transpiration for cooling purposes and the other is to reduce transpiration to conserve water.

Answer 3

Tropical plants are crowded together because the conditions in which they live are so ideal for plants to grow in. Therefore, having larger leaves is to their advantage. Desert plants have small leaves because it helps conserve water. Leaves lose large amounts of water through a process called transpiration.