Humans have succeeded in exploiting every habitat on Earth because the structural adaptations of our big brains and our hands enabled us to make the myriad behavioral adaptations necessary to live in so many places. Few environments are as hostile to life as Craters'. Temperatures range from -37 to 108 degrees F. and only about 17 inches of precipitation falls annually mostly as snow. In spring it quickly melts off or seeps into the porous ground in time for summer winds and heat to evaporate every drop of moisture from the black landscape. Nevertheless, over 300 plant species cling to the nooks, crannies, and thin soils where life can exist at Craters.
Some plants are extraordinarily tolerant of drought.
They can withstand cell moisture levels that would be lethal for other plants. Sagebrush and bitterbrush are exceptional at extracting water from dry soils and living on very little moisture. Plants can avoid drought with physical adaptations like the leaves of scorpionweed that funnel rain and dew toward its roots. Succulents like cacti collect water when it is abundant and retain it in their tissue. Rabbitbrush's small, light-colored leaves reduce evaporation.