Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
Published on: March 6, 2014
Biotic feedbacks in Lake phosphorus cycles
S R Carpenter1, K L Cottingham, D E Schindler
1S.R. Carpenter, K.L. Cottingham and D.E. Schindler are at the Center for Limnology, 680 North Park Street, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Abstract:
Limnologists are now reconsidering the role of the biota in the phosphorus (P) cycles of lakes. Changes in lake communities can have significant consequences for ecosystem P cycles. At seasonal timescales, the relative importance of nitrogen (N) and Pas limiting factors for primary production depends in part on zooplankton species composition. Phosphorus storage and recycling by fish and zooplankton can be large components of P budgets, and mobile consumers can be important vectors in P transport. Stability, resilience and resistance of lake P cycles may depend heavily on fluxes to and from upper trophic levels.
Related Concept Videos
The Phosphorus Cycle
Freshwater Microbial Ecology
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Positive and Negative Feedback Loops
Primary Production

