Ridge-to-reef nutrient export

Names and classification

Other names

ridge-to-reef nutrient export

Family

Nutrient Cycling & Retention

Record type

ecological_process

Habitat and ecology

Ecological role

Supports Atlas reasoning about ecosystem function, dependencies, threats, conservation leverage points and cross-module consequences.

Process and seasonal context

Definition

Movement of dissolved and particulate nutrients from watersheds through streams and groundwater to coastal waters.

Drivers

organic inputs; redox; flow; biota; land cover

Inputs

N; P; organic matter; microbial substrates

Outputs

bioavailable nutrients; gaseous losses; retained nutrients; exported nutrients

Spatial scales

microhabitat → watershed → coastal ocean

Temporal scales

hours → years

Validity and limits

Context-specific; do not extrapolate across habitat, season, elevation, salinity or disturbance state without evidence.

Sources and further reading

• From ridge to reef—linking erosion and changing watersheds to coral reef impacts
• From Land to Sea: stream flow, nutrients, organic matter and organisms
• Sedimentation processes in a coral reef embayment: Hanalei Bay, Kauaʻi