Which elements are responsible for supplementing soil nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems?

Prepare for your NRCM Nutrient Cycling Exam. Test your knowledge with diverse question types, each accompanied by comprehensive hints and explanations. Be confident and ready!

The elements responsible for supplementing soil nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems primarily include rain, snow, air currents, and animals.

Rain and snow are critical as they provide the necessary water for plants, and they also help transport various dissolved nutrients from the atmosphere and the soil into the roots of plants. This precipitation effectively enhances the nutrient supply available in the soil.

Air currents can carry particles and nutrients that settle onto the soil as dust or other materials. This process contributes to the enrichment of the soil with essential elements, aiding in overall ecosystem health.

Additionally, animals play a significant role in nutrient cycling through their waste, which often contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—key nutrients for plant growth. When animals die, their decomposition also adds organic matter and nutrients back into the soil.

While bacteria and fungi (also an option) do contribute to the breakdown of organic matter and the cycling of nutrients, they primarily operate within the existing nutrient framework rather than serving as the primary sources that directly supplement soil nutrients from external sources. Similarly, while minerals from rocks are essential as they weather over time to release nutrients, they do so over a long period and are not as immediate in supplementing soil nutrients compared to the dynamic processes involving precipitation and animal interactions.

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