When we think about global processes there's a tendency to forget about what's happening on our very own doorsteps and to focus our thoughts on much larger areas such as the Amazon Rainforest.
But the trees in Monkmead Wood are playing a critical part in one particular global process that is essential to all life on this planet - and that's the global water cycle.
In this cycle we can find water in many different states, from a solid, to a liquid and even as a vapour.
The process by which the trees in Monkmead Wood play an essential part in the global water cycle is by the evaporation of moisture from their leaves, a process which is called Transpiration - it is also a process which keeps trees cool in summer.
There are tiny pores positioned on the underside of the trees' leaves (called stomata) which enable this process to take place.
Although Monkmead Wood may seem to be a small woodland (compared to some) it's trees are hard at work playing a major part on the planet's global stage of woodland processes.