The hydrological cycle, also called the water cycle, is the continuous movement of water through the environment as it circulates among the atmosphere, land, and bodies of water. Driven primarily by solar energy and gravity, it includes processes such as evaporation and transpiration, condensation, precipitation, in…
The hydrological cycle, also called the water cycle, is the continuous movement of water through the environment as it circulates among the atmosphere, land, and bodies of water. Driven primarily by solar energy and gravity, it includes processes such as evaporation and transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and the flow of water through rivers, lakes, groundwater, and oceans. This cycle governs the distribution and availability of fresh water and is fundamental to the functioning of ecosystems. Its connection to ecology is profound, because the timing, quantity, and quality of water shape habitats, regulate nutrient cycling, sustain wetlands and aquatic communities, and influence the survival and distribution of plants and animals. Changes in the hydrological cycle, whether from climate variability, land use, or human water management, can alter ecosystems, affect water quality, and disrupt the services that natural systems provide. Understanding these interactions is essential for managing water resources, conserving habitats, and predicting the ecological consequences of environmental change. The topic falls within the broad scope of Plant and Animal Ecology, which examines the relationships between organisms and their environments. This page gathers peer-reviewed, open-access research relevant to water, ecosystems, and ecological processes within that scope.
1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.