A major characteristic of terrestrial ecosystems is element cycles. We first discuss different modes of cycling based on the nature of the participating processes. Cycling is then presented for two different scales – local and global, respectively. The following elements are treated in detail: carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sulfur. Cycling in a temperate Norway spruce forest gives an insight into details and a comparison of cycling characteristics of ecosystems of major biomes in different climates – arctic, boreal, temperate and tropical – provides the broad picture. Major methods for measuring the different elements are also presented.