1. A reference to a body of water deficient in nutrients for supporting plant life, but rich in oxygen for supporting animal life.
2. Having low primary productivity; a reference to substrates of bodies of water low in nutrients: "Oligotrophic lakes are susceptible to pollution from excess phosphorus from such sources as fertilizer runoff, sewage, and detergents."
3. Referring to any organism requiring only a small nutrient supply, or restricted to a narrow range of nutrients.
4. Pertaining to insects that visit only a small variety of plant species.