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Chapter 3: Hydrological Processes in Riparian Areas
Evaporation and Transpiration
- Evaporation is the return of water as vapor to the atmosphere from surfaces such as streams, lakes, puddles, ponds, and through soil pores.
- Plants contribute water vapor to the atmosphere through the process of transpiration. Soil water is extracted by plant roots and is subsequently transpired.
- The combined contribution of evaporation and transpiration is termed "evapotranspiration."
- Longitude and latitude, elevation, proximity to the ocean and geographic features directly influence evaporation and transpiration.
- In addition, local climate including factors such as temperature, relative humidity, cloudiness and wind speed affect both evaporation and transpiration.
- Transpiration also varies with the amount and kind of vegetation, as well as with the growing season.
Figure 3.8. Riparian vegetation in the semiarid regions is much denser than the uplands and transpiration rates from the riparian area can be very high.
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