Interception
Interception is the process by which precipitation is intercepted and held by vegetation canopies before reaching the soil surface. In forest ecosystems, interception can account for 10-40% of total precipitation, reducing the amount of water that infiltrates the soil or becomes surface runoff.
Real World
Studies in the Amazon rainforest show that its dense multi-layered canopy intercepts up to 35% of rainfall, meaning deforestation for cattle ranching directly increases surface runoff and flood risk in Amazonian river basins.
Exam Focus
Distinguish between interception storage and interception loss (evaporation) — conflating the two is a common exam error that loses marks.
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