1. Water scarcity: Terrestrial plants require water for photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and maintaining turgidity. In arid regions or during droughts, plants may struggle to access enough water, leading to wilting, stunted growth, and even death.
2. Soil quality: Plants rely on soil for anchorage, nutrient uptake, and water retention. Poor soil quality, such as high acidity, salinity, or lack of essential nutrients, can hinder plant growth and development.
3. Competition for resources: Terrestrial plants often have to compete with other plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients. This competition can limit their growth and reproductive success.
4. Herbivory: Many terrestrial plants are susceptible to herbivory by insects, mammals, and other animals. Herbivores can damage plant tissues, reduce photosynthetic capacity, and even kill plants.
5. Disease and pathogens: Terrestrial plants are also vulnerable to diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. These diseases can weaken plants, reduce their productivity, and sometimes lead to death.
6. Extreme temperatures: Terrestrial plants are exposed to a wide range of temperatures, from freezing cold to scorching heat. Extreme temperatures can damage plant tissues, disrupt metabolic processes, and reduce plant survival.
7. Pollution: Air and soil pollution can have detrimental effects on terrestrial plants. Pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals can accumulate in plant tissues, impairing their growth and reproductive success.
8. Habitat destruction: Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture can destroy natural habitats and disrupt ecosystems, leading to the loss of plant species and biodiversity.