When you think about the circle of life, it is important to consider the molecular level. An element of carbon can move from a plant to an animal as it goes up the food chain. Eventually, the same element may end up in the soil and can begin the sequence again. This is one example of a biogeochemical cycle.

Biogeochemical cycles are pathways that let elements move through ecosystems. Because you cannot create or destroy matter, they help explain how all living and nonliving things cycle through nature. Earth acts as a closed system for the movement of matter, and a biogeochemical cycle includes the chemical, geological and biological pieces of this pathway.

Biogeochemical cycles help explain how the planet conserves matter and uses energy. The cycles move elements through ecosystems, so the transformation of things can happen. They are also important because they store elements and recycle them. Moreover, biogeochemical cycles can show you the connection among all living and nonliving things on Earth.

Understanding these cycles is crucial because people affect them. Human activity is disturbing some of these natural cycles and hurting different ecosystems. By paying attention to how these pathways work, humans may be able to stop the harmful impact.

There are many different types of biogeochemical cycles, but the most common ones include:

• water
  
• carbon
  
• nitrogen
  
• sulfur
  
• phosphorus

Although researchers continue to unravel new pathways and details about the cycles, examining the common ones can reveal how many ecosystems function.