Nutrient Cycling: What is it?
Nutrient cycling describes the complex series of paths and processes by which nutrients move
and are utilised within an ecosystem. While some nutrients enter (inputs) or leave (losses) the ecosystem,
most are retained and re-used (returned) again and again (hence cycling).
The rate at which nutrients are returned is especially important in many Australian ecosystems because their soils are geologically old, highly weathered, and low in available plant nutrients.
Rainforests are among the most productive of ecosystems yet they sometimes develop on relatively poor soils. This can only be achieved via the rapid cycling of nutrients, and the minimisation of nutrient losses through disturbances such as fire.