What term is used for precipitation that is collected and stored by vegetation?

The term that describes precipitation collected and stored by vegetation is "interception." This process occurs when raindrops fall onto leaves and branches, where they can be temporarily held before either evaporating or falling to the ground. Interception can significantly influence local hydrology by reducing the amount of rainfall that reaches the soil directly, affecting both soil moisture and runoff patterns.

In contrast, infiltration refers to the process by which water enters the soil through the surface, impacting groundwater recharge but not specifically related to vegetation storage. Runoff is the movement of water, usually from precipitation, over land surfaces towards rivers, lakes, or oceans, and is not linked to storage by vegetation. Transpiration, while related to water movement through plants, specifically involves the release of water vapor from plant leaves rather than the collection of precipitation. Thus, interception is the correct term associated with precipitation being held by vegetation.