Forest and other vegetation promote surface run-off.a)Trueb)FalseCorre...
Explanation:
Vegetation, including forests, actually helps to reduce surface run-off rather than promoting it. Here is a detailed explanation:
1. Role of vegetation:
- Vegetation, such as forests, plays a crucial role in regulating the water cycle.
- It helps to absorb and hold water, reducing the amount of surface run-off.
- Roots of plants help to stabilize the soil, preventing erosion and allowing water to infiltrate into the ground.
2. Effects of forest cover:
- Forests have a dense canopy that intercepts rainwater, reducing the velocity and impact of raindrops on the ground.
- The leaves and branches of trees act as a barrier, allowing water to drip slowly and be absorbed by the soil.
- Forest litter, such as fallen leaves and organic matter, helps to retain moisture and enhance infiltration.
3. Benefits of vegetation in reducing run-off:
- When surface run-off is reduced, it decreases the risk of floods as water is absorbed by the soil and vegetation.
- Vegetation helps to replenish groundwater reserves by allowing water to percolate into the ground.
- It also helps to maintain stream flows during dry periods by releasing water slowly from the soil.
4. Additional benefits of forests:
- Forests provide habitat for numerous plant and animal species, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
- They act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, thereby mitigating climate change.
- Forests also offer recreational and economic opportunities, such as timber and non-timber forest products.
Therefore, the statement "Forest and other vegetation promote surface run-off" is false.
Forest and other vegetation promote surface run-off.a)Trueb)FalseCorre...
False
Explanation:
Vegetation, including forests, plays a crucial role in regulating surface run-off. It helps to reduce the amount of run-off and promote infiltration into the soil. Here's an explanation of why vegetation does not promote surface run-off:
1. Vegetation and Run-off:
- Vegetation, such as trees, plants, and grasses, helps to intercept rainfall and reduce the impact of raindrops on the ground surface.
- The canopy of trees and plants slows down the falling raindrops, preventing them from directly hitting the ground with force.
- This reduces the erosive power of raindrops and minimizes the detachment and transport of soil particles.
- Consequently, less surface run-off is generated as a result of the protective influence of vegetation.
2. Vegetation and Infiltration:
- Vegetation helps to enhance infiltration, which is the process by which water enters the soil.
- The roots of plants create pathways and channels in the soil, allowing water to penetrate deeper.
- The presence of vegetation also improves the soil structure, making it more porous and capable of holding water.
- As a result, more water infiltrates into the soil rather than running off the surface.
3. Vegetation and Evapotranspiration:
- Vegetation plays a significant role in evapotranspiration, which is the combined process of evaporation from soil and transpiration from plants.
- Evapotranspiration helps to remove excess water from the soil and plants, reducing the amount of water available for surface run-off.
- Plants take up water from the soil through their roots and release it into the atmosphere through their leaves, contributing to the water cycle.
Conclusion:
In summary, vegetation, including forests, does not promote surface run-off. On the contrary, it helps to reduce the amount of run-off by intercepting rainfall, promoting infiltration, and enhancing evapotranspiration.
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