Phosphorus is an element that is essential for the growth and development of organisms. In the short-term cycle, phosphorus in phosphates in solution are cycled from the soil to producers, and then from the producers to consumers. When organisms die or produce waste products, decomposers return the phosphorus to the soil, where it can be used again.
Phosphorus moves from the short-term cycle to the long-term cycle through precipitation and sedimentation to form rocks.
In the long-term cycle, weathering or erosion of rocks that contain phosphorus slowly adds phosphorus to the cycle. Phosphorus, in the form of phosphates, might be present only in soil and water. Therefore, phosphorus is a factor that limits the growth of producers.
