Transpiration is the process by which plants give off water vapor from their leaves to the atmosphere. The process is an important stage in the water cycle, often more important in returning water to the atmosphere than is evaporation from rivers and lakes. A single acre of growing corn, for example, transpires an average of 3,500 gal (13,248 l) of water per acre (0.4 ha) of land per day. Transpiration is, therefore, an important mechanism for moving water through the soil, into plants, and back into the atmosphere. When plants are removed from an area, soil retains more moisture and is unable to absorb rain water. As a consequence, runoff and loss of nutrients from the soil is likely to increase.

See Also

Erosion; Flooding; Soil Conservation