Earth's water cycle - Quick facts

Water is the most precious resource on our planet and the importance of water cycle is fundamental for the survival of all species on this planet because all ecosystems need water to remain healthy.

Term water cycle refers to continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of our planet.

Generally speaking, the balance of water on Earth remains relatively constant over time.

The water cycle influences the changes in temperature because it can also lead to exchange of the heat, which in turn can lead to changes in climate.

The transportation of water through the water cycle is important for several reasons: it purifies and cleans water, replenishes the land with freshwater, and it also transports minerals to different parts of the globe improving soil quality in the process.

The main driving force behind the earth's water cycle is the Sun.

Oceans are the most important parts of the Earth's water cycle, they store close to 97 per cent of the world's water and receive 80 per cent of the all surface rainfall as well as supplying approximately 90% of the evaporated water that goes into the water cycle.

The scientists believe that warming of the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere as the result of ongoing climate change will likely strengthen and speed up our planet's water cycle up to 25%.

According to U.S. Scientists our planet's water cycle has strengthened by four per cent from 1950-2000. The scientists concluded this by measuring the changes in ocean's salinity as yet another clear sign of ongoing climate change phenomenon. The salinity of the oceans originates from erosion and transport of dissolved salts from the land

The changes in water cycle that were induced by the strengthening of climate change phenomenon will likely have negative impact on redistribution of rainfall and will affect food availability, likely leading to more hunger in the world, especially with predicted human population increase.

Our forests play significant role in water cycle because of their ability to supply a significant amount of moisture that creates rain.

World's total water supply is estimated to be 1,386 million cubic kilometers, of which more than 96% is saline.