Understanding Limiting Nutrients in Ecosystems

What is a limiting nutrient in an ecosystem?

a. nitrogen compound
b. organic phosphate
c. biogeochemical cycle
d. limiting nutrient

Answer:

In an ecosystem, a single scarce or slowly cycling nutrient that limits the growth of organisms is known as a d. limiting nutrient, with nitrogen and phosphorus being common examples.

When an ecosystem is limited by a single nutrient that either is scarce or cycles very slowly, this substance is called a limiting nutrient. A limiting nutrient is one that constrains the growth or population size of one or more species in an ecosystem. Nitrogen and phosphorus are examples of nutrients that can be limiting factors in ecosystems. Because these elements are essential for biological processes such as primary production and decomposition, their availability can control ecosystem dynamics. In terrestrial ecosystems, nitrogen is often a limiting factor for plant growth, while in aquatic ecosystems, phosphorus is commonly the limiting nutrient. The overuse of fertilizers can lead to an excess of these nutrients, resulting in eutrophication and disruption of the ecosystem.

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