What is the term for the cycling of nutrients through an ecosystem, including decomposition and uptake by plants?

What is the term for the cycling of nutrients through an ecosystem, including decomposition and uptake by plants?

• A. Decomposition
• B. Nutrient recycling
• C. Biomagnification
• D. Eutrophication

Answer: (B)

The main concept here is nutrient recycling—the ongoing movement of elements through living organisms and the physical environment in an ecosystem. Decomposers break down dead matter and waste, releasing mineral nutrients back into soil or water. Plants then absorb these nutrients to grow, and when plant material dies or is eaten and excreted, the nutrients are returned and made available again. This cycle keeps essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon circulating so life can continue. Think of it as the full loop: nutrients are produced or released by decomposition, taken up by photosynthesizing plants, moved through the food web, and eventually returned to the environment to start the cycle anew. Other terms describe narrower or different processes: decomposition alone is just the breakdown of material; biomagnification is the increasing concentration of substances up the food chain; eutrophication is excessive nutrient enrichment leading to algal blooms and oxygen problems.

The main concept here is nutrient recycling—the ongoing movement of elements through living organisms and the physical environment in an ecosystem. Decomposers break down dead matter and waste, releasing mineral nutrients back into soil or water. Plants then absorb these nutrients to grow, and when plant material dies or is eaten and excreted, the nutrients are returned and made available again. This cycle keeps essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon circulating so life can continue.

Think of it as the full loop: nutrients are produced or released by decomposition, taken up by photosynthesizing plants, moved through the food web, and eventually returned to the environment to start the cycle anew. Other terms describe narrower or different processes: decomposition alone is just the breakdown of material; biomagnification is the increasing concentration of substances up the food chain; eutrophication is excessive nutrient enrichment leading to algal blooms and oxygen problems.