Phosphorus, not nitrogen, limits plants and microbial primary producers following glacial retreat.

The article cites a research study which found that phosphorus is the nutrient most limiting plants and microbial primary producers in the Central Andes and central Alaska. It combined field and microcosm studies of both plant and microbial primary producers for the purpose of the study. Phosphorus accelerates the rate of succession for plants and for microbial phototrophs.