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Environment 06 - Mains Questions - (Sankalp (UPSC 2024) )

The biogeochemical cycle involves the natural cycling of essential elements and molecules through Earth's systems. These cycles are crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance and planet functioning by ensuring nutrient availability, facilitating energy flow, influencing climate regulation, and allowing for carbon sequestration and sustainable resource management.

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12 views1 page

Environment 06 - Mains Questions - (Sankalp (UPSC 2024) )

The biogeochemical cycle involves the natural cycling of essential elements and molecules through Earth's systems. These cycles are crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance and planet functioning by ensuring nutrient availability, facilitating energy flow, influencing climate regulation, and allowing for carbon sequestration and sustainable resource management.

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SANKALP 2024
Environment and Ecology – Mains Question 06

1. What do you mean by “Bio-geo chemical cycle”? Explain the significance of the biogeochemical
cycle.
(150 Words, 10 Marks)
Approach:
❖ Introduction: Introduce by giving the definition of the Biogeochemical Cycle.
❖ Body: Explain in detail the significance of the Biogeochemical Cycle.
❖ Conclusion: Conclude with the importance and impact of the Biogeochemical Cycle.
Answer:
The biogeochemical cycle is a natural process that involves the cycling of elements or molecules essential
for life through various components of the Earth's system, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere (Earth's crust), and biosphere (living organisms). These cycles are crucial for maintaining the
balance and sustainability of ecosystems and the overall functioning of the planet.
Significance of the Biogeochemical cycle:
❖ Nutrient Cycling: Biogeochemical cycles ensure the continuous availability of nutrients required by
living organisms. Elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus are essential building blocks of life,
necessary for growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
❖ Energy Flow: Biogeochemical cycles facilitate the flow of energy through ecosystems. For example, the
carbon cycle is closely linked to energy transfer as it governs the movement of carbon-containing
compounds, which are sources of energy for organisms.
❖ Ecosystem Functioning: The cycling of nutrients and compounds maintains the functionality of
ecosystems. Nutrient availability influences primary production (plant growth), which in turn affects the
entire food chain and ecosystem structure.
❖ Climate Regulation: Biogeochemical cycles, especially the carbon and water cycles, play a role in
regulating Earth's climate. The carbon cycle influences greenhouse gas concentrations, affecting global
temperatures. The water cycle regulates temperature and contributes to heat distribution.
❖ Carbon Sequestration: The carbon cycle includes processes like carbon sequestration, where carbon
is stored in plants, soils, and sediments, helping to mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric
carbon dioxide levels.
❖ Sustainable Resource Management: Understanding biogeochemical cycles is crucial for sustainable
resource management, such as optimizing agricultural practices, minimizing nutrient pollution, and
promoting ecosystem resilience.
Thus, biogeochemical cycles are fundamental processes that regulate the movement of elements and
compounds necessary for life on Earth. Their significance lies in their role in nutrient cycling, energy flow,
ecosystem functioning, climate regulation, and overall environmental health and sustainability.
   

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