What is the term for the movement of water through the ecosystem involving evaporation and precipitation?

The term that describes the movement of water through the ecosystem, incorporating processes such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, is the hydrological cycle. This cycle illustrates how water continuously moves between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere.

Evaporation occurs when water from the surface, such as oceans, lakes, and rivers, transforms into vapor and enters the atmosphere. This vapor eventually cools, condenses into clouds, and is released back to the surface as precipitation in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. The cycle emphasizes the interconnectedness of water sources, the atmosphere, and various natural processes.

While "water cycle" is also commonly used and is technically correct, "hydrological cycle" is the more scientifically precise term that encompasses the broader range of processes and terminology used in hydrology and environmental sciences. The other options, such as "atmospheric cycle" and "condensation cycle," do not fully capture the scope and significance of the complete movement of water through all components of the ecosystem.