What primarily influences the amount of evapotranspiration in Ontario?

The amount of evapotranspiration in Ontario is primarily influenced by temperature and plant growth. Evapotranspiration refers to the combined process of evaporation from land surfaces and transpiration by plants.

Temperature plays a crucial role because it affects the rate of evaporation; higher temperatures generally increase the rate of evaporation from soil and water surfaces. Similarly, the physiological processes of plants, including their uptake of water and its release into the atmosphere through transpiration, are significantly influenced by temperature.

Plant growth is also pivotal because vegetation cover can enhance transpiration. Different plant species have varying rates of transpiration depending on factors such as their leaf area, type, and health, which can alter the overall amount of water vapor released into the atmosphere.

While soil erosion rates and animal activities can have an indirect impact on soil moisture and coverage, they do not directly control the process of evapotranspiration. Pollution levels in water bodies affect water quality and ecosystems but do not have a direct influence on the rates of evapotranspiration. Geographical location and altitude can play a role, but they are generally more related to climate zones than directly affecting the processes of evapotranspiration in a specific and immediate way.