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biocycle

biocycle

7.2
A repeating series of natural processes that move elements like carbon or nitrogen through living things and the environment
  • noun
  • /ˈbaɪoʊˌsaɪkəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : biociclo
  • Forty-one years ago, in the first issue of a journal now known as BioCycle, a report was published on how a small anaerobic digester could provide an economic solution to the treatment of farm wastes.

Examples

  • The biocycle describes how carbon is recycled through the environment, emphasizing the importance of each step in nature.

  • Understanding the biocycle can help scientists predict how changes in the ecosystem impact the flow of nutrients.

  • The BioCycle survey in 1996 identified 15 operating facilities, down from 21 a few years ago.

    Academic text (1996)
  • From 1989 through 1999, this report ran in a spring issue of BioCycle, typically in April.

    Academic text (2001)
  • A recent report in BioCycle covered watering options available on turning equipment.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The editorial staff of BioCycle will shortly publish a special report on the latest advances.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The questionnaires are being completed now, and the finished report will appear in the December 2001 issue of BioCycle.

    Academic text (2001)
  • When the State of Garbage report did not appear in the April 2001 issue of BioCycle, we began receiving numerous calls about when it would be available.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Of 43 states responding to BioCycle's annual survey, 33 report an increase in beneficial use in their state.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The report is excerpted from a presentation at the BioCycle 26th Annual National Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in May 1996.

    Academic text (1996)

Synonyms

cycle
vsbiocycle
707 2.8

A series of events that repeat in the same order

is specific to natural biological processes, for example carbon and nitrogen

Surface Forms

biocycle singular
biocycles plural

Morphology

biocycle = cycle (semi-transparent) = bio + cycle

The word is built in a fairly regular way from bio- + cycle, but the ecological/technical sense is slightly specialized rather than fully obvious.

Etymology

The word biocycle puts together bio- meaning 'life', as in biology, and cycle meaning 'circle' or 'repeat', as in a bicycle whose wheels go round. So, a biocycle is a 'life circle', a repeating set of natural processes like the carbon or nitrogen cycle.