Which plant is best adapted to grow in a desert ecosystem and why? A The Brittle Bush - the leaves are smaller, which allows more sunlight to reach the soil and the roots of the plant. B The Lilac Bush - the leaves are larger, and the heart shape allows for more absorptio of water. C The Brittle Bush - the leaves are smaller and have short hairs on them which prever the loss of water. D The Lilac Bush - the flowers are a food source for the desert birds and animals.

1. **Identifying the Key Adaptations for Desert Ecosystems** Plants in deserts must conserve water due to extreme temperatures and low precipitation. Adaptations typically include: - Small leaves to reduce water loss through transpiration. - Additional features like hairs or waxy coatings on leaves to minimize evaporation. 2. **Analysis of Each Option** - **Option A:** States that the Brittle Bush has smaller leaves allowing more sunlight to reach the soil and roots. While smaller leaves are beneficial for reducing water loss, allowing more sunlight might increase soil temperature and evaporation. This is not a good adaptation for water conservation in deserts. - **Option B:** Indicates that the Lilac Bush has larger, heart-shaped leaves that absorb more water. Larger leaves are counterproductive in a desert because they increase the surface area for water loss through transpiration. - **Option C:** Describes the Brittle Bush with smaller leaves that have short hairs. The smaller leaves reduce water loss and the hairs can help reflect sunlight and reduce evaporation, making it well-suited for desert conditions. - **Option D:** Highlights that the Lilac Bush provides flowers as a food source for desert wildlife. However, being a food source does not imply it is adapted for water conservation or the harsh desert environment. 3. **Conclusion** Based on the analysis, the plant with the best adaptations for a desert ecosystem is the Brittle Bush because it has smaller leaves that reduce water loss and features (short hairs) that further help in preventing the loss of water. 4. **Final Answer** \( \textbf{C: The Brittle Bush - the leaves are smaller and have short hairs on them which prevent the loss of water.} \)