The influence of vegetation on the water cycle

The influence of vegetation on the water cycle

It is generally known that water is a decisive factor for growth and development of plants. But not everyone is aware that vegetation acts just as much on the water cycle. It plays an important role in the regulation of local and global climate by transporting water from the ground to the atmosphere, the so -called evapococeration process. This article takes a closer look at this complex interaction process and explains how vegetation influences the water cycle.

Explanation of the water cycle

What is the water cycle?

The water cycle, also known as a hydrological circulation, describes the continuous exchange of water within the hydrosphere between atmosphere, floor water, surface water, groundwater and plants. It is a closed cycle in which water changes in its aggregate states and is in different locations.

The phases of the water cycle

The water cycle essentially consists of four phases:

• evaporation : Here water is transported into the atmosphere from the earth's surface and the waters.
• transpiration : This is the process that gets into the atmosphere over the water of plants.
• condensation : In the atmosphere, the water condenses and becomes clouds.
• precipitation : The precipitation brings the water back to earth, where the circulation then begins again.

The role of vegetation in the water cycle

transpiration as an important element

Vegetation influences the water cycle mainly by the process of transpiration. Through their leaves, plants release water in the form of water vapor, which they previously absorbed from the ground through their roots. During the day, when the sun is shining and the wind blows, plants open their stomata (small openings on the underside of their leaves) to absorb carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. They lose water that then gets into the atmosphere.

floor water balance and high evapo transiration

Plants act on the floor water balance and increase the overall evapotranspiration. Vegetation can help keep the soil moist in dry regions, especially in dry regions. Plants shade the floor and reduce soil evaporation. At the same time, plants absorb water from deeper layers of the soil and transport it via the transport to the surface and into the atmosphere.

The effects of the vegetation change on the water cycle

Delay and its consequences

The removal of vegetation, in particular the large -scale deforestation of forests, can have serious effects on the water cycle. Forest areas often have a high transpirate rate and can store a lot of water. If trees are removed, the evaporation and a larger amount of water drops into rivers and lakes and less into the atmosphere. As a result, changed rainfall patterns, increased erosion and in some cases can lead to drought.

reforestation and the restoration of the water cycle

On the other hand, greening landscapes can regenerate and stabilize the water cycle in the region. New trees and plants absorb the water from the ground and release it to the atmosphere by transpiration, which increases the evapotranspiration and influenced the local climate.

FAZIT

The vegetation is an important player in the water cycle. Through transpiration and evapo transiration, it has a major impact on the climate and helps to maintain balance in the water cycle. Changes in the vegetation can have significant effects, especially if these changes take place on a large scale, as in the case of de- and reforestation. In order to maintain the balance of the water cycle, it is therefore important that we protect our natural resources and use sustainable