From the text: 'Despite the relative paucity of results, what may be concluded on a more positive note concerning nutrient cycling in heathlands and related shrublands? One conclusion is that nutrients in rainfall alone may, in some cases, be sufficient to balance any losses from the system. This conclusion applies to the relatively immobile elements in heathlands, of which calcium has been chosen as an example for this review. Another conclusion is that some of the relatively mobile ions, such as phosphate, may be cycled within heathlands very efficiently. Two steps in the phosphorus cycle seem especially efficient: firstly, the uptake of soil-solution phosphorus as it is modified anatomically and physiologically by micro-organisms and specialized root structures; and secondly, the seasonal translocation of phosphate from senescing to developing shoot tissues. Specht and Groves (1966) descussed these two aspects for some Australian heathland species, but more detailed studies have still to be initiated. Fire and surface soil erosion appear to be the most important sources of nutrient loss; this is especially so if the two factors interact when intense summer rain storms follow fire, as they may do in eastern Australia. This conclusion applies to nutrients lost as ash particles. Nutrients such as nitrogen and sulphur will also be lost as smoke to varying extents depending on fire temperature. Grazing or browsing seem to be a significant source of nutrient loss only if it follows soon after a fire.'