What is the purpose of cacti?

Answer 1

A cactus provides ways to diffuse long hours of harsh sun by pulling light into the stem for the photosynthetic interaction with water and dissolved nutrients. It provides vegetation in a plant and ground cover poor environment. It provides support for soil to hold together against erosion, through its roots. It provides storage for water in a moisture and rainfall scarce world. It provides shelter for wildlife. It provides shade to the ground below, to lessen evaporation of surface and underground moisture. It provides materials for making buildings, drinks and food, and tools. It provides employment for pollinators.

Answer 2

A cactus may be used for decoration, as the main colorful, vegetative form in a desert environment. It may be used for drink, such as tequila. It may be used for employment, such as the crew of pollinators that make cactus fruits and seeds possible from cactus flowers. It may be used for environmental health, through the carbon dioxide that it takes in and the oxygen that it releases through its stomata, or breathing pores. It may be used for people and wildlife finding their way, through its landmark forms in the monotonous desert environment. It may be used for food, such as the berries and vegetables that the prickly pear cactus [Opuntiaspp] offers. It may be used for making money, such as through the dyes that are produced by cochineal insects [Dactylopius coccus] on the prickly pear cactus [Opuntia spp]. It may be used for shelter, such as the nesting cavities that the giant saguaro cactus [Carnegiea gigantea] offers to the Gila woodpecker [Melanerpes uropygialis]. It may be used for soil and water conservation, through its soil holding and water intaking roots. It may be used for tools, such as the living fences that people make from any columnar cactus plant.