What is a limiting nutrient?

A limiting nutrient is a nutrient that is not sufficiently available in an ecosystem, causing organisms to have limited growth, reproduction, and survival. The availability of a limiting nutrient can limit the growth of populations and, therefore, the productivity of ecosystems. In aquatic ecosystems, the most commonly limiting nutrients are nitrogen and phosphorus, while in terrestrial ecosystems, the lack of essential nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium affect plant growth. Overuse of fertilizers or other human activities can cause the eutrophication of water bodies and create algal blooms, also known as harmful algal blooms, that affect aquatic life and the quality of water for human use. The concept of limiting nutrients is an important concept in ecology as it can help manage and understand changes in ecosystems and how to increase productivity in agricultural systems.