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Why can removing vegetation make rainfall less likely in dryland areas?

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sand dunes — Desert Sand dunes in the Sahara, near Merzouga, Morocco.

Removing vegetation in dryland areas can reduce the likelihood of rainfall primarily by increasing the surface albedo, or reflectivity, of the land.12

When green vegetation is replaced by lighter-colored, unvegetated soil, the surface reflects more solar energy back into the atmosphere rather than absorbing it. This increase in regional albedo has been linked to a significant decline in rainfall events, such as thunderstorms. Furthermore, vegetation contributes to the atmosphere through transpiration, where plants release water vapor. The loss of plant cover reduces this moisture input, which, combined with changes in surface heat fluxes, alters the atmospheric conditions necessary for cloud formation and precipitation.1234

In essence, the removal of vegetation disrupts the local water cycle and energy balance, creating a feedback loop that can exacerbate arid conditions and decrease the frequency of rain. Maintaining plant cover is therefore vital for preserving normal rainfall patterns and the biological productivity of these ecosystems.51