Transpiration

Trees shade the ground, helping to limit evaporation from the soil, and return moisture to the atmosphere through transpiration. Removing trees can reduce soil-water storage and the moisture returned to the air, contributing to drier conditions.

Plants also return water vapour to the atmosphere through transpiration, contributing to the movement of water through the hydrological cycle.

Plants absorb soil water through their roots and release some of it as water vapour through their leaves: this is transpiration. Water also moves towards streams and rivers.