Evapotranspiration: Meaning, Definition & Importance
Evapotranspiration, as the name implies, is the combined net effect of evaporation and transpiration. Evapotranspiration uses a larger portion of preci
pitation than the other processes associated with the hydrologic cycle.
Evaporation is the process of returning moisture to the atmosphere. Water on any surface especially the surfaces of mud holes, ponds, streams, rivers, lakes and oceans, is warmed up by the sun’s heat until it reaches the point at which water turns into vapour. This state, is the gaseous state.
The water vapour then rises into the atmosphere.
Transpiration is the process by which plants return moisture to the air. Plants take up water through their roots and then, lose some of the water through pores in their leaves. As hot air passes over the surface of the leaves, the moisture absorbs the heat and evaporates into the air.
Evaptranspiration is the combination of water which is released to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration.
Also Read: Hydrological Cycle: What Is Water Cycle As It Relates To Engineering?
