Nitrogen supply is one of the most important growth-regulating factors in ecosystems. This study describes how land ecosystems, with their organisms, plants, animals and micro-organisms, influence nitrogen cycling in natural and polluted ecosystems.
Nitrogen is a key element in ecosystem processes. Aspects of local and global changes in nitrogen in both undisturbed and disturbed conditions are discussed. Environmental changes caused by pollution from nitrogenous compounds and changes in landuse are also described. Organisms, plants, animals and microorganisms are all affecting nitrogen supply. Emphasis is placed on natural and anthropogenic transfer of nitrogen between ecosystems and also on the interaction of nitrogen with other bioelements.
