What is the Primary Limiting Factor for Aquatic Productivity

Question

What is the primary limiting factor for aquatic productivity?
A)pressure
B)lack of nutrients
C)light availability
D)herbivores
E)competition

Accepted Answer

Nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, are often the primary limiting factors for aquatic productivity. Without sufficient nutrients, algae and other primary producers cannot photosynthesize at their maximum rate, which limits the amount of energy available to the rest of the food web. Pressure, light availability, herbivores, and competition can also play a role in limiting aquatic productivity, but they are typically secondary to nutrient availability.