"1. s are most prominent in shady and humid environments, but many species are also found in drought-prone habitats, either (semi) arid ecosystems or locations with discontinuous water supply within otherwise humid ecosystems. These locations include tree branches and rocks, both substrates with little water storage capacity. 2. is gained through adaptations in water uptake, water loss, water storage and, in many ferns, , a feature that ferns share with other s. The little information available on the 's efficiency to limit water loss suggests that it may be similar to other s. Thus many ferns, while tolerating desiccation, normally avoid it through low cuticular and tal water loss and may not be considered truly . Exceptions are filmy ferns with very little control of water loss and whose water relations are akin to mosses rather than vascular plants. 3. Other adaptations found in xerophytic ferns include photoprotection with pigments, antioxidants, dense , leaf curling and drought avoidance by shedding leaves in the dry season. (CAM) is a common adaptation of xerophytic angiosperms, but is very rare in ferns. is not strongly developed in xerophytic ferns."