Interception - GCSE Geography Definition

In GCSE Geography, 'interception' refers to the process where precipitation, like rain, is caught and held by leaves, branches, and plants before it reaches the ground. This means that not all the rainfall immediately flows into rivers or seeps into the soil, as some of it is temporarily stored on the surfaces of vegetation. Interception is important because it helps to reduce the speed and amount of water that reaches the ground, which can affect how quickly rivers fill up and can help prevent flooding. It also allows water to evaporate back into the atmosphere, playing a role in the water cycle.