Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Nutrient levels refer to the amount of essential elements, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, present in an ecosystem. These nutrients are necessary for the growth and survival of organisms.
Eutrophication is the excessive enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, leading to harmful algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
Limiting Nutrients: Limiting nutrients are specific elements that are in short supply relative to the needs of organisms, limiting their growth and productivity.
Nutrient cycling refers to the movement and transformation of nutrients through biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components within an ecosystem.