Nutrient retention

biodiversityecosystem-function
Capacity of an ecosystem to retain and cycle nutrients (primarily N and P) rather than lose them to surface or groundwater. Tracked through paired input/output budgets at Critical Zone Observatories, ILTER long-term plots, USGS NWIS gauging, and GEMS-Water. Underpins EU Water Framework Directive and CSRD E2 disclosures.
Canonical units: kg ha^-1 year^-1