Forests play a crucial role in regulating the water cycle in several ways:
Transpiration: Trees absorb water from the soil through their roots. This water is then released into the atmosphere through a process called transpiration. Transpiration helps to increase humidity and promote cloud formation, which can lead to precipitation.
Evapotranspiration: In addition to transpiration, forests also contribute to evapotranspiration, which is the combined process of water evaporation from the land surface and transpiration from plants. This helps to maintain moisture in the atmosphere and influences local and regional weather patterns.
Water infiltration: The roots of trees and other vegetation in forests help to improve soil structure and increase its ability to absorb water. This process, known as water infiltration, reduces surface runoff and erosion, allowing water to percolate into the ground and recharge aquifers.
Surface runoff reduction:_
