Question

How is the nitrogen cycle affected by global warming?

Answer 1

Nitrogen cycle:

1. The nitrogen cycle is a biogeochemical process where nitrogen is changed into various forms and successively passes from the atmosphere to the soil to organisms and back into the atmosphere.
2. The limiting factors for symbiotic nitrogen fixation are typically environmental conditions.
3. A wide range of factors would be included in this, such as soil pH, soil fertility, soil moisture, pest damage, and weed competition.
4. Temperature and atmospheric CO₂ concentration have a significant impact on plant productivity and the nutrient cycle.
5. The amount of biologically available nitrogen in an environment can be significantly increased by burning fossil fuels, using fertilizer based on nitrogen, and global warming which has doubled the amount of global nitrogen fixation.
6. Increased acidity of freshwater environments can be caused by increases in nitrogen in aquatic systems.
7. Changes to the nitrogen cycle could raise the risk of infectious and parasitic diseases in both humans and wildlife.