Question: Phosphorus cycles extremely slowly through ecosystems due to the afct that the major reserviors of this nutrient are contained largely in rock and other substrates. As a consequence, this nutrient often limits primary production
Discuss this statement in term sof the global phosphorus cycle, and outline the general patterns of the cycle. What human activities are considered to impact upon the phosphorus cycle?
Answer:
Introduction
In the ecosystems, nutrients continuously cycle through living-organisms and non-living environments in such a way that all organisms can access nutrients to maintain their growth. Phosphorus is one of the most essential nutrients to organisms. Phosphorus has an extremely slow cycle due to the fact that large quantity of this nutrient is stored in sedimentary rocks for considerable period. As a result, this nutrient often limits the primary production. In order to improve crop production, humans have tried to increase the phosphorus concentration in soils by adding phosphorus-based fertilisers and manures to agricultural lands. …
