# Water cycle

The constant movement of water between the sea, air and land by evaporation, condensation and precipitation.

Biology (school) · Part 07: Ecosystems and food chains · Card 11 of 11 · Last updated 2026-10-19

## Analogy

A conveyor belt carrying water around the planet.

## In practice

Rain on mountains runs into rivers, flows to the sea and evaporates again.

## Questions people ask

### What are the main steps of the water cycle?

The Sun heats water in seas and lakes, which evaporates into vapour. Plants also lose water by transpiration. The vapour rises, cools and condenses into clouds. It falls as precipitation, such as rain or snow, and flows back by rivers or underground to the sea.

### Why is the water cycle important for living things?

Fresh water is needed by all living things for chemical reactions and for transporting substances. The water cycle cleans and moves water around the planet so that it falls as rain on land. It supplies rivers, soil moisture and groundwater that plants, animals and people depend on.

## Related concepts

- [Decomposer](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-7/biology-school-part-7-concept-9)
- [Carbon cycle](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-7/biology-school-part-7-concept-10)

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