Biosphere Contents

1. Organic Matter

Nutrient cycles describe the movements of individual chemical constituents of the Earth between the different environmental spheres, and, in particular, into components of living organisms

Picture of fertilisers being applied to a field

The movement of inorganic chemical elements through living organisms is one of the most important processes at work in the ecosystem. The idea that plants can live entirely off inorganic elements was discovered only 150 years ago and gave rise to the rapid development of the fertilizer industry. This has now gone full circle in that we are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental problems associated with fertilizer use.

What is a nutrient cycle?