Which term describes the movement of abiotic factors between living and nonliving components within ecosystems?

The term that describes the movement of abiotic factors between living and nonliving components within ecosystems is biogeochemical cycles. These cycles include the movement of essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water as they circulate through the atmosphere, soil, water bodies, and organisms.

Biogeochemical cycles illustrate how abiotic components (like minerals and water) interact with biotic components (like plants, animals, and microorganisms) to form a cohesive ecosystem. For instance, plants absorb nutrients from the soil, animals consume the plants, and then decomposers break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil. This cyclical process is crucial for maintaining the balance of ecosystems and ensuring that essential nutrients are available for all forms of life.

In contrast, while nutrient flow and energy circulation are related concepts, they don’t encompass the full scope of abiotic and biotic interactions that biogeochemical cycles represent. Furthermore, the carbon cycle is a specific example of a biogeochemical cycle, focusing solely on the movement of carbon among the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere, rather than describing the broader concept of abiotic factor movement within ecosystems.