Nitrogen Cycle

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English

The sequence of biochemical changes undergone by nitrogen, wherein it is used by a living organism, liberated upon the death and decomposition of the organism and converted to its original state of oxidation.

Source (via NALT): Schwarz, Charles F.; Thor, Edward C.; Elsner, Gary H. 1976. Wildland planning glossary. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-13. Berkeley, Calif.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station

Publications

Sources and Transformations of Nitrogen in Urban Landscapes

Alexander J. Reisinger, Mary G. Lusk, and Ashley R. Smyth

Nitrogen Cycling and Management for Romaine and Crisphead Lettuce Grown on Organic Soils

Alan L. Wright and D. Calvin Odero

How Do Oysters Remove Nitrogen?

Heather Donnelly, Ashley Smyth, Shirley Baker, Laura Reynolds, and Angela Collins

Nitrogen is natural and necessary, yet nitrogen levels above natural levels can cause algal blooms and eutrophication of coastal systems. The purpose of this document is to describe how oysters and oyster reefs remove nitrogen. This new 7-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences is intended for policymakers, environmental organizations, and coastal residents who want to know about oysters' role in improving water quality through nitrogen removal. Written by Heather Donnelly, Ashley Smyth, Shirley Baker, Laura Reynolds, and Angela Collins.

Up in the Air and Down in the Water: Connections Between Air and Water Quality in Florida’s Tampa Bay

Mary G. Lusk and Tanya Charan

The Up in the Air, Down in the Water program is a combined research and education effort of the Urban Water Cycle Lab at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Hillsborough County, Florida. The purpose of this fact sheet is to explain where the nitrogen (N) in atmospheric deposition comes from, how it moves to Earth’s surface, how it can affect water quality, and how we can better manage atmospherically derived N in our watersheds. Written by Mary G. Lusk and Tanya Charan, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, October 2025.

Nitrogen in the Home Landscape

Amy L. Shober and Alexander J. Reisinger

This document helps homeowners understand how N interacts in the environment through the nitrogen cycle, making maintenance of home landscapes or gardens easier and more sustainable. This document is SL 254, one of a series of the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 2008. Revised March 2011 and August 2022.

Nitrogen Contributions from Peanut Residues to Subsequent Crops

Arun Jani, Michael J. Mulvaney, Mahesh Bashyal, and Hardeep Singh

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Plant Systems