NUTRIENT CYCLING: DRIVERS OF ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION AND STABILITY

Nutrient cycling refers to the movement and transformation of essential elements—such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S)—within and between ecosystems. These biogeochemical cycles are fundamental to ecosystem productivity, structure, and resilience. They regulate the availability of nutrients to primary producers and determine energy transfer across trophic levels. Human activities, including agriculture, fossil fuel combustion, and land‑use change, have significantly altered natural nutrient cycles, resulting in ecosystem degradation, eutrophication, and climate change. This article reviews the principles of nutrient cycling, the roles of biotic and abiotic processes, and how disruptions affect ecosystem health and services, emphasizing the need for sustainable management.