What describes a closed depression in the earth from which water can escape only into the soil?

A closed depression in the earth from which water can escape only into the soil is best described as an infiltration basin. This type of basin allows rainwater or surface runoff to accumulate in a low area and then gradually seep into the ground. The main characteristic of an infiltration basin is its capacity to facilitate the percolation of water into the soil, effectively recharging groundwater supplies.

In contrast, a catch basin typically refers to a structure designed to collect stormwater runoff and debris, often with a drainage outlet. Wetlands, on the other hand, are areas where water is present either permanently or seasonally and they are crucial for habitat and biodiversity, rather than simply being a depression for water to infiltrate. Ecology refers to the relationships between living organisms and their environment, which is a broader concept and not specific to hydrological features. Thus, infiltration basin is the most accurate choice for the described scenario.