What happens to half of the precipitation that falls in California?

In California, approximately half of the precipitation that falls is lost to evaporation and transpiration. Evaporation occurs from surfaces like soil and water bodies, while transpiration involves water uptake by plants and its release into the atmosphere. Additionally, some precipitation contributes to runoff and groundwater recharge, but a significant portion never reaches rivers or reservoirs due to these losses. This interplay of evaporation and transpiration is crucial in the state's water cycle and overall water availability.