The correct option is (c)
Explanation
During a drought, the water balance of the soil is disrupted. Water loss from the soil occurs primarily through
evapotranspiration, which is the sum of evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration from plants. The rate and mechanism of these losses depend on atmospheric conditions and plant physiological responses.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Evaporation is a physical process where water turns into vapor due to heat and atmospheric dryness. During a drought, high temperatures and low humidity accelerate this process, causing the soil to lose significant moisture directly from its surface.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Transpiration is the biological loss of water through plant stomata. While plants respond to drought by closing stomata to conserve water, transpiration does not completely stop during the day for most vegetation. Even with closed stomata, some water is lost through the cuticle (cuticular transpiration). Furthermore, the statement that it "completely stops during the day" describes the specific adaptation of CAM plants (found in deserts) which open stomata only at night; it is not a general rule for all vegetation during a drought.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The drying up of vegetation contributes to water loss in two ways: first, the moisture stored within the plant biomass is lost to the atmosphere as the plant desiccates; second, the wilting and death of vegetation reduce the canopy cover, exposing the soil surface to more direct sunlight and wind, thereby increasing the rate of soil evaporation.
Key Takeaway
Evapotranspiration (evaporation + transpiration) is the primary mechanism of soil water loss. While plants reduce transpiration during water stress, it rarely stops completely during the day in typical terrestrial plants.