(a) How does the rain falling in a forest area differ from that falling in an open area in terms of its nutrient quality? (b) Explain how water is important for biogeochemical cycles.

Answer: The nutrient quality of rainwater is generally higher in forest areas than in open areas, as it mixes with organic matter and dissolved nutrients from the canopy, forest floor, and soil layers. In open areas, there may be less interaction with organic materials and nutrients, leading to lower overall nutrient quality. Water plays a crucial role in biogeochemical cycles by acting as a transport medium, facilitating chemical reactions, and regulating nutrient availability for organisms. This includes water's involvement in processes like runoff, leaching, and erosion, its role in photosynthesis and decomposition, and its influence on nutrient availability in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.