Alternative process names
In our investigation, we commonly found multiple names for the same or
very similar process. This plurality has been discussed in the
literature, e.g. Weiler et al. (2006) write that
“Subsurface stormflow is also known in the hydrological
literature as interflow, lateral flow, subsurface runoff, transient
groundwater, or soil water flow. These multiple terms often confuse the
process understanding of subsurface stormflow response to rainfall or
snowmelt. ”
We found that hydrologists sometimes use multiple terms in the same
article e.g., through-flow and subsurface saturated flow. It is
difficult for the reader to determine whether the authors intended
nuanced differences between these terms, or whether they refer to the
same process. The same term might also be used with different meanings
in different sources, for example throughflow is variously defined as
lateral flow in unsaturated or saturated conditions. We recommend that
authors consistently use the same process name throughout an article,
and define the term where there is a possibility of confusion.