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7 - Evaporation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2014

Ian Strangeways
Ian Strangeways
Affiliation:
TerraData
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Summary

In the evening it rained very heavily, and although the thermometer stood at 65 °(F), I felt very cold. As soon as the rain ceased, it was curious to observe the extraordinary evaporation which commenced over the whole extent of the forest. To the height of 100 feet the hills were buried in a dense white vapour, which rose like columns of smoke from the most thickly wooded parts, especially the valleys. I observed this phenomenon on several occasions. I suppose it is owing to the large surface of foliage, previously heated by the sun's rays.

Charles Darwin Voyage of the Beagle (Rio de Janeiro).

The variable

The rate of evaporation from the ground's surface and from plants is controlled by the relative humidity and temperature of the air, the amount of net radiation, the wind speed at the surface, the amount of water available and the nature of the surface (for example its roughness). The type of vegetation and the state of the plant's stomata are also involved since transpiration is generally lumped in together with evaporation. To allow for this, the ungainly word evapotranspiration has been coined; many do not like it, but it comes in useful and acts as a reminder. Open water presents another situation, as do ice and snow. The net incoming solar energy is apportioned to the three fluxes — sensible, latent and soil heat, and to photosynthesis — according to the infinite variety and combination of circumstances.

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Measuring the Natural Environment , pp. 113 - 133
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2003

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  • Evaporation
  • Ian Strangeways, TerraData
  • Book: Measuring the Natural Environment
  • Online publication: 05 July 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139087254.007
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  • Evaporation
  • Ian Strangeways, TerraData
  • Book: Measuring the Natural Environment
  • Online publication: 05 July 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139087254.007
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Evaporation
  • Ian Strangeways, TerraData
  • Book: Measuring the Natural Environment
  • Online publication: 05 July 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139087254.007
Available formats
×