A SOIL-BASED VIEW OF THE PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
Initially, phosphate weathers from rocks. The small losses in a terrestrial system caused by leaching through the action of rain are balanced in the gains from weathering rocks. In soil, phosphate is absorbed on clay surfaces and onganic matter particles and becomes incorporated (immobilized). Plants dissolve ionized forms of phosphate. Herbivores obtain phosphorus by eating plants, and carnivores by eating herbivores. Herbivores and carnivores excrete phosphorus as a waste product in urine and feces. Phosphorus is released back to the soil when plants or animal matter decomposes and the cycle repeats.

A GLOBAL VIEW OF THE PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
The phosphorus cycle occurs when phosphorus moves from land to sediments in the seas and then back to land again. The main storage for phosphorus is in the earths crust. On land phosphorus is usually found in the form of phosphates. By the process of weathering and erosion phosphates enter rivers and streams that transport them to the ocean. Once in the ocean the phosphorus accumulates on continental shelves in the form of insoluble deposits. After millions of years, the crustal plates rise from the sea floor and expose the phosphates on land. After more time, weathering will release them from rock and the cycle's geochemical phase begins again.

AN ECOSYSTEM VIEW OF THE PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
The ecosystem phase of the phosphorus cycle moves faster than the sediment phase. All organisms require phosphorus for synthesizing phospholopids, NADPH, ATP, nucleic acids, and other compounds. Plants absorb phosphorus very quickly, and then herbivores get phosphorus by eat plants. Then carnivours get phosphorus by eating herbivores. Eventully both of these organisms will excrete phosphorus as a waste. This decomposition will release phosphorus into the soil. Plants absorb the phosphorus from the soil and they recycle it within the ecosystem.