34 THE SCHOOL BOOK OF FORESTRY 



the raindrops as they patter to the ground. The 

 surface of the soil is usually hard. It is baked 

 and dried out by the sun. It is not in condition 

 to absorb or retain much of the run-off water, 

 consequently, the rain water finds little to stop 

 it as it swirls down the slopes. In torrents it 

 rushes down the stream beds, like sheets of water 

 flowing down the steep roof of a house. 



Conditions are very different in a region 

 where forest cover is abundant. In the forests, 

 the tops of the trees catch much of the rain that 

 falls. The leaves, twigs, branches and trunks 

 of the trees also soak up considerable moisture. 

 The amount of rainfall that directly strikes the 

 ground is relatively small. The upper layer of 

 the forested ground consists of a network of 

 shrubs, and dead leaves, branches, and moss. This 

 forest carpet acts like an enormous sponge. It 

 soaks up the moisture which drops from the trees 

 during a storm. It can absorb and hold for a time 

 a rainfall of four or five inches. The water that 

 finally reaches the ground sinks into the soil and 

 is evaporated or runs off slowly. The portion 

 that is absorbed by the soil is taken up by the 

 roots of the trees and plants or goes to supply 

 springs and watercourses. 



