What is the process called when precipitation is captured by vegetation?

The process where precipitation is captured by vegetation is known as interception. This occurs when rainwater falls onto the surfaces of leaves, branches, and the ground, where it can be temporarily stored instead of directly reaching the soil or surface runoff. Interception plays a critical role in the water cycle as it can reduce the volume of water available for runoff and can also influence local moisture levels by allowing some water to evaporate back into the atmosphere.

The other processes mentioned relate to different aspects of the water cycle. Discharge refers to the flow of water out of a river or stream, hydraulic action describes the physical force of water eroding river banks or bedrock, and evapotranspiration combines the processes of evaporation and transpiration, where water is not only evaporated from surfaces but also released from plants into the atmosphere.