Lifting condensation level
the altitude at which water vapor condenses out of rising air, forming clouds and/or rain (R1)
Inversion layer
a barrier to clouds formed by a mass of warm air overlying a mass of cooler air (R1)
Ground water recharge
water that filters into the soil from the surface, percolating until it reaches the underground reservoirs and flow-ways called aquifers (R1)
Ground water
water that flows through naturally porous or fractured rocks and soils beneath the surface of the land; also, water trapped between dikes (vertical, underground sheets of volcanic rock) or floating on seawater within rocks (C3, R1)
Evapotranspiration
water evaporated from soil and water surfaces and water evaporated as plants transpire (R1)
Cloud forest
an area which receives moisture directly from clouds as they hug the side of the mountain and condense on the foliage, as well as from rainfall (R1)