Nutrient depletion
Nutrient depletion is a form of resource depletion and refers to the loss of nutrients and micronutrients in a habitat or parts of the biosphere, most often the soil (soil depletion, soil degradation). On the level of a complete ecological niche or ecosystem, nutrient depletion can also come about via the loss of the nutrient substrate (soil loss, wetland loss, etc.). Nutrients are usually the first link in the food chain, thus a loss of nutrients in a habitat will affect nutrient cycling and eventually the entire food chain.

Nutrient depletion can refer to shifts in the relative nutrient composition and overall nutrient quantity (i.e. food abundance). Human activity has changed both in the natural environment extensively, usually with negative effects on wildlife flora and fauna.

The opposite effect is known as eutrophication or nutrient pollution. Both depletion and eutrophication lead to shifts in biodiversity and species abundance (usually a decline).
The effects are bidirectional in that a shift in species composition in a habitat may also lead to shift in the nutrient composition.
Q3737914
resource depletion
Concept
Q181394
nutrients
Concept
Q531507
micronutrient
Concept
Q52105
habitat
Concept
Q42762
biosphere
Concept
Q36133
soil
Concept
Q202080
soil depletion
Concept
Q2045071
soil degradation
Concept
Q172861
ecological niche
Concept
Q37813
ecosystem
Concept
Q80026
soil loss
Concept
Q56114960
wetland loss
UNK
Q159462
food chain
Concept
Q7070482
nutrient cycling
UNK
None
nutrient composition
UNK
None
food abundance
UNK
Q241741
wildlife
Concept
Q156698
eutrophication
Concept
Q12203192
nutrient pollution
Concept
Q47041
biodiversity
Concept
Q336019
species abundance
UNK
Q85790039
Nutrient depletion
UNK
Q85790039
Nutrient depletion
UNK
subclass of