What term refers to when an ecosystem is limited by a single nutrient that is scarce?

The term that refers to when an ecosystem is limited by a single nutrient that is scarce is known as a limiting nutrient. In ecological terms, a limiting nutrient is one that is available in a deficient quantity, thereby restricting growth and productivity within the ecosystem. This concept is crucial for understanding nutrient dynamics in various environments, especially in aquatic ecosystems where nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can significantly influence the growth of plants and algae. When these nutrients are limited, other factors such as sunlight and water, while potentially sufficient, cannot promote further growth due to this primary constraint.

In ecosystems where a nutrient is limiting, even if other resources are abundant, the scarcity of that nutrient prevents organisms from thriving. Identifying limiting nutrients helps ecologists manage and restore ecosystems effectively by allowing them to understand which elements are critical for the health of the system.