Transpiration
Topic: Water in the Atmosphere: Humidity, Condensation, Clouds and Precipitation · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 10 "Water in the Atmosphere"
Meaning
Transpiration is the release of water vapour from plants through tiny pores in their leaves called stomata. Plants take up water through their roots and give much of it back to the air this way. Evaporation and transpiration together are called evapotranspiration. In this way forests recycle rain: water that falls on them goes back into the air and can fall again. Cutting forests can reduce rain in that area and further downwind.
Example
The forests of the Western Ghats send large amounts of vapour back into the air. Clearing them, as in parts of north-east India, can reduce local rain. The Amazon rainforest in South America puts back into the air a large share of the rain it gets.
Don't confuse with
- Evaporation: it is vapour rising from open water, soil and other surfaces. Transpiration is vapour released by living plants through their leaves.