Which process describes how nitrogen is cycled through an ecosystem?

The nitrogen cycle is a comprehensive process that outlines how nitrogen moves through the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms within an ecosystem. It encompasses several key processes, including nitrogen fixation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification, each of which plays a significant role in transforming nitrogen into various forms that can be utilized by plants and animals.

Through nitrogen fixation, atmospheric nitrogen is converted into ammonia by certain bacteria, making it accessible to plants. Ammonification involves the decomposition of organic matter, releasing ammonia back into the soil. Nitrification then converts this ammonia into nitrates, which are taken up by plants. Finally, denitrification completes the cycle by converting nitrates back into atmospheric nitrogen, thereby returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.

The term "nitrogen cycle" encapsulates all these processes, highlighting the interconnected nature of nitrogen's movement through the ecosystem, and demonstrating how each stage supports life forms that depend on nitrogen for growth and development. This holistic view of nitrogen cycling is essential for understanding ecosystem dynamics and nutrient management.