Evapotranspiration is a critical activity in Earth’s dynamic systems, influencing the movement of water and nutrients, influencing the water cycle, and giving critical information for farmers to efficiently manage irrigation and water supplies.
Understanding Evapotranspiration
- Definition: Evapotranspiration is the transfer of water from terrestrial surfaces into the atmosphere, and it is an important component of the global water cycle.
- The water cycle and its relationship to evapotranspiration: Evapotranspiration combines evaporation (water loss from soil) and transpiration (water movement and loss by plants), both of which contribute to overall water movement in the water cycle.
- Definition of the term: Evapotranspiration is the upward flow of water through plants and its subsequent loss into the atmosphere from exposed plant portions.
Evapotranspiration Influencing Factors
- Rate of evapotranspiration: Solar radiation, day length, soil moisture levels, ambient temperature, wind conditions, and the amount of water vapour already existing in the air all influence the rate of evapotranspiration.
- The effect of insolation: The rate of evapotranspiration is directly affected by the intensity of solar radiation since it provides the energy required to evaporate water from terrestrial surfaces.
- The importance of day length: The length of the day, soil moisture content, ambient temperature, wind patterns, and air moisture content all influence the rate of evapotranspiration.
Evapotranspiration’s historical importance
- The term “evapotranspiration” has been in use for at least 86 years, and it was first published with a hyphenated form.
- Charles Warren Thornthwaite’s contribution in 1944: Thornthwaite, a climatologist from the United States, developed and popularised the word “evapotranspiration” in 1944.
- Relevance for farmers in predicting crop water needs: Even today, evapotranspiration is important for farmers who use it to predict the amount of water needed to efficiently irrigate their crops.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/evapotranspiration-part-of-cycle-transmitting-water-into-atmosphere/article66930621.ece