What is referred to as the part of the water cycle that involves water moving over the ground?

Surface runoff is the process in the water cycle where water flows over the land's surface after rainfall, melting snow, or other forms of precipitation. This movement occurs when the ground is saturated and cannot absorb any more water, causing it to flow towards lower elevations, such as rivers, lakes, or oceans. Surface runoff plays a critical role in transporting water across the landscape, contributing to the replenishment of water bodies and influencing soil moisture and erosion processes. Understanding this concept is essential as it highlights how water not only cycles through evaporation and precipitation but also interacts with the landscape, shaping ecosystems and affecting water quality.