A waxy coating on each leaf conserves water which is essential for survival in this desert-like environment.
(A waxy coating on each leaf; conserves; water which is essential for survival in this desert-like environment) (water; is; essential for survival in this desert-like environment)
A waxy coating on each leaf water
conserves is
water which is essential for survival in this desert-like environment
essential for survival in this desert-like environment