It protects them from freezing. It prevents them from being eaten by consumers. It protects them from breaking in strong winds. It makes it very hard for them to be pulled from the ground.
I gave my students this multiple choice question: Few flowers are able to grow on the northern arctic tundra. Those that do grow there have very short stems. How is this an adaptation to help them survive in the arctic climate?

Only one answer is correct among these 4 choices:
- It protects them from freezing.
- It prevents them from being eaten by consumers.
- It protects them from breaking in strong winds.
- It makes it very hard for them to be pulled from the ground.

Could you tell me which one is correct?

It protects them from breaking in strong winds.