Which process refers to the interception of precipitation by trees?

The correct answer is interception. This process refers specifically to the way trees and vegetation catch and hold precipitation, such as rain or snow, before it reaches the ground. When rain falls, some of it lands directly on leaves, branches, and trunks, which temporarily hold this water until it evaporates or drips down to the ground. This effect helps to reduce the amount of water that directly enters the soil or runs off into nearby streams, influencing local water cycles and reducing the speed of water movement during heavy rainfall.

In contrast, infiltration refers to the process of water soaking into the soil from the ground surface. Surface runoff is the water flow that occurs when soil is saturated or impermeable, leading to excess water flowing over the land. Percolation involves the movement of water through the soil layers, deeper into the ground. These processes are related to the movement and distribution of water in the environment, but interception specifically highlights the role of vegetation in managing precipitation before it impacts the ground.