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.