xeric etymology

Etymology

The term "xeric" is derived from the Greek word "xeros," which means "dry."

Meaning

Xeric refers to environments that are characterized by extreme dryness or water scarcity. These environments typically have low levels of precipitation and high rates of evaporation, resulting in arid or semi-arid conditions.

Origin

The concept of xeric environments was first defined by the German-American botanist Forrest Shreve in his 1914 publication "The Vegetation of a Desert Mountain Range as Conditioned by Climatic Factors." Shreve used the term "xerophytic" to describe plants adapted to dry conditions, and the related term "xeric" to describe the environments in which they lived.

Usage

Today, the term "xeric" is widely used in ecology, biogeography, and environmental sciences to describe dry environments, both terrestrial and aquatic. Xeric ecosystems include deserts, grasslands, and certain types of forests and wetlands. Xeric plants and animals have evolved unique adaptations to survive in these harsh conditions, such as drought tolerance, water storage mechanisms, and reduced transpiration rates.

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