Evapotranspiration is the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere. It includes two main components: evaporation, which is the conversion of liquid water into vapor from surfaces like soil and water bodies, and transpiration, which is the release of water vapor from plants through small openings in their leaves called stomata. This process is crucial for the water cycle, as it helps regulate moisture levels in the environment. Factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and vegetation type can influence the rate of evapotranspiration, making it an important consideration in fields like agriculture and climate science.